Our ongoing operations – March 2026

As of March 2026, more than 450 FSD staff members are actively engaged in the provinces of Chernihiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Kherson and Poltava.

Twelve teams are currently conducting surveys of suspected hazardous areas, while thirty-three demining teams are focused on locating explosive devices in minefields and former battle zones. Specialised machinery is being used to prepare rural areas for clearance, and armoured construction vehicles assist in clearing rubble from structures damaged or destroyed by ordnance. The first mine detection dog team was deployed in mid-September 2025. In parallel, nine teams are delivering risk education in schools and villages, complemented by online sessions and digital campaigns across social media platforms.

From 2023 onwards, FSD has been providing logistical support and expertise to the explosive ordnance disposal teams of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and is currently strengthening their capacities in mechanical demining through training and the rehabilitation of a workshop for the repair, maintenance and modernisation of demining machines.

FSD also supports the local NGO Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Protection (UCHP) in developing its operational and institutional capacities in mine action, with the aim of enabling it to independently conduct humanitarian demining operations in the future.

Map of FSD’s operations in Ukraine

Background of our operations in Ukraine

FSD began working in Ukraine in early 2015, focusing on the Donbas region along the line of contact between areas controlled by the Ukrainian government and those under separatist control. Our risk education teams initially launched emergency campaigns in schools and villages, teaching residents how to stay safe near landmines and unexploded ordnance. At the same time, survey teams assessed and mapped areas contaminated by explosive remnants of war.

In 2016, FSD started clearance operations, recruiting, training, and deploying around 50 local staff from an operational base in Sloviansk and Marioupol. Over the following years, our deminers surveyed dozens of former battlefields and identified hundreds of unexploded ordnance items. Simultaneously, FSD supported Ukrainian institutions in establishing a national mine action authority.

At the end of February 2022, as the armed conflict escalated, FSD temporarily suspended and reoriented its activities to allow staff to ensure the safety of their families and provide emergency humanitarian aid to communities affected by the conflict. By June 2022, the improved security situation enabled FSD to establish a new operational base in Chernihiv, followed by another in Kharkiv province in November, allowing the resumption of demining activities.

In 2023, FSD strengthened its operational capacities through the recruitment and training of staff, as well as the acquisition of equipment. Two satellite operations offices were opened in Donetsk province and in Kryvyi Rih to support the northeastern part of Kherson province.

Objectives for the next twelve months

• Expanding humanitarian reach: In 2026, FSD mine action operations will continue at full speed across the four provinces of Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Donetsk while geographic expansion within established areas of operation and into neighbouring provinces is planned for the coming months.
• Increased use of dogs and technology: In late 2025, our first mine detection dog team was deployed to support FSD’s manual demining actitivies and will be joined by a second dog team in 2026. In parallel, FSD will continue to work with non-profit start-up FindMine to test their UAV-based remote sensing system in Ukraine. The UAV is equipped with a ground-penetrating radar and can detect buried objects such as mines and unexploded ordnance. FSD is piloting an innovative digital hazard marking system. Signs with QR codes have been installed in village centres and along routes leading to areas contaminated with explosive ordnance. By scanning the codes, people can access up-to-date digital maps showing contamination risks, helping them understand their surroundings and avoid danger. The system is currently being tested and will be refined based on user feedback and field experience.
• Reinforcement of local capacity building projects: FSD will continue to support its local NGO partner, the Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Protection (UCHP), in strengthening both its operational and structural capacities. This includes the development of key support functions such as logistics, finance and human resources. UCHP has already secured accreditation for explosive ordnance risk education, non-technical survey and clearance activities, and trained teams are currently in the process of being transferred to its management. The technical expertise of FSD’s national staff will also be continuously strengthened through regular training programmes delivered by FSD’s in-house training centre, which is accredited to provide the standard deminer training course required in the country.
• Resource mobilisation for reconstruction: The widespread contamination from mines and unexploded ordnance demands sustained support as new regions are liberated and new challenges emerge for humanitarian deminers. FSD remains committed to maintaining and expanding activities in its operational areas to maximise humanitarian impact and advance the clearance of explosive hazards. FSD is also working with stakeholders to leverage its demining expertise and the use of existing mechanical assets in support of reconstruction efforts, paving the way for safe and sustainable recovery in affected communities.

Our Funding

FSD’s mine action activities in Ukraine are supported and funded by institutional donors, private donors, and Swiss cantons and municipalities. FSD remains committed to maintaining and expanding its operations in order to maximise humanitarian impact for affected populations and accelerate the clearance of the country.

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© Interview broadcast on RTS La Première, in the programme La Ligne de cœur

It is very easy to lay a landmine. Removing it, however, is far more time-consuming and painstaking.

Olivier Shu

FSD Programme Manager

About Olivier

A demining expert and FSD staff member for the past eight years, Olivier is currently working in Ukraine. In a city regularly targeted by drones and missiles, air-raid sirens punctuate daily life, yet the teams continue their mission.

Olivier and his colleagues are currently supporting the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in the operation, maintenance and repair of mechanical demining machines. These machines are used to clear agricultural land, allowing farmers to cultivate their fields safely once again.

A former soldier, Olivier explains why he chose to put his skills to work in humanitarian action. He speaks about determination, the transfer of knowledge, and his conviction that humanitarian demining remains essential for building a lasting peace.

A live testimony offering a closer understanding of what it means to live and work in a country affected by war.

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Today, the situation has changed. On 28th November 2025, an Operational Centre dedicated to managing the response to explosive hazards was inaugurated in Mindanao. Established in collaboration with FSD and the parties involved in the peace process, and bringing together the Philippine police and armed forces, this centre now enables a rapid, coordinated and effective deployment of assets to any alert.

“Now that the Centre is fully operational, any call about a suspected explosive triggers a rapid response within 48 hours,” explains police officer Shahanie D. Information is centralised, responsibilities are clearly defined, and teams know exactly how to act to prevent accidents. “When we receive a call about explosive(s), we can immediately gather all necessary information and provide a coordinated response through the operational Centre”, adds her colleague Edna L.

Beyond the immediate reduction of risk, the opening of this Centre plays a key role in peacebuilding. By bringing together actors who were previously opposed around a common objective which reduces the risk to all community members, it helps to restore trust between the different parties to the conflict. This concrete cooperation, grounded in the peace agreement, represents an essential step towards lasting security for communities and towards a peace that is built day by day.
 
This programme is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

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When an area is identified as contaminated, our teams mark it with red “Danger Mines” signs to warn local people to stay away from these areas. This year, FSD is testing an innovation: integrating QR codes with the warning signs to further enhance safety.

On his phone, Viktor can now immediately see the dangerous areas. “I scanned the QR code, and now I can open the map on my phone; I can see what’s safe and what’s dangerous. Even at a glance, the map clearly shows which areas to avoid,” he explains. The signs were placed in key locations across the city, in collaboration with local residents.

These signs do not replace awareness sessions or traditional marking, but they provide a valuable complementary tool to help everyone protect themselves from explosive remnants of war.

The project is implemented in partnership with the local organisation Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA), who are responsible for marking hazard areas and installing the signs, as part of a programme to strengthen local capacities. It is carried out with the support of Swiss Solidarity, UNOPS, and the European Union. Our local partner FEODAL developed the website.

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A new repair workshop and sustainable technical capacity

At the heart of the project is the rehabilitation and enhancement of a specialised repair workshop in Poltava, where damaged demining machines will be overhauled and returned to the field. The facility will be equipped with heavy tools, spare parts and diagnostic systems, enabling SESU to maintain its fleet of nearly 100 demining machines, some of which are no longer under warranty.

Over the next three years, FSD experts will mentor SESU personnel directly in the repair and upkeep of demining machines, from maintenance routines to spare-parts management. This training will enable SESU technicians to service multiple machine types, reducing costs and limiting reliance on international supply chains.

This project isn’t about adding new machines – it’s about repairing and maintaining the ones Ukraine already has, so they can return to the field and continue saving lives. By investing in SESU’s technical capacity, Switzerland is helping Ukraine strengthen its own demining response.

Hansjörg Eberle

FSD Director

“The refurbished Poltava workshop will allow SESU to carry out complex repairs — from engine overhauls to hydraulic maintenance — entirely in Ukraine,” added Olivier Shu, FSD Programme Manager in Ukraine. “It’s a major step towards SESU’s self-sufficiency and faster, safer mechanical clearance operations.”

Innovation to increase safety and precision

In addition to the repair and training components, the project will explore new technologies to improve the safety and precision of mechanical demining. Together with Ukrainian and international partners, FSD and SESU will test drone-based mapping and sensor systems to better assess terrain and detect obstacles before mechanical clearance operations begin.

FSD’s mechanical demining experts — already working with SESU since 2023 — will support these trials and training, ensuring the transfer of knowledge to Ukrainian engineers and operators. Over time, national teams will assume full ownership of the project’s technical functions.

Complementing FSD’s ongoing humanitarian demining work across Ukraine

In parallel with this new SECO-funded project, FSD continues its humanitarian mine action activities across Ukraine, including demining, risk education, and capacity-building. More than 570 staff members are currently deployed across the Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Kherson regions.

Through its SDC-funded project in Kharkiv, FSD clears minefields and former battle areas, supports a local NGO in developing mine action capacities, and provides risk education in schools and communities.

“This new project complements our ongoing humanitarian demining work,” noted Eberle. “Together, SECO’s support for long-term capacity building and SDC’s funding enable FSD to contribute both to Ukraine’s immediate recovery and to its future self-reliance.”

Since June 2022, FSD teams have cleared over 3.5 million square metres of land, surveyed more than 127 million square metres, and delivered risk education to over 450,000 people.

Responding to an urgent national need

Ukraine remains one of the countries most contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance in the world. SESU’s 98 mechanical demining vehicles have already cleared more than 2,700 hectares of land, but the intensity of operations and the aging fleet pose significant maintenance challenges.

FSD has been working closely with SESU since 2023, providing technical support, training, and innovative solutions. The repair hub in Poltava directly responds to SESU’s requests for long-term support to sustain and modernise its demining capacity.

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Alexandra Brutsch

Head of Communications

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In the field, the task of deminers is to carefully examine and sometimes excavate the ground to locate landmines and explosive remnants of war using metal detectors. These women and men make up the majority of FSD’s workforce.

Alongside them, technical experts bring experience and specialised skills. Qualified in explosive ordnance disposal, they are responsible for securing and destroying the devices identified by deminers, as well as coordinating and monitoring field operations. Some also act as trainers, ensuring local deminers are trained to the highest international standards.

Training in two stages

No prior technical knowledge is required to become a deminer. It is enough to be able to read and write, and to be in good physical condition. Training begins with a theoretical module, covering search and excavation techniques, safety procedures and first aid. Trainee deminers also study the different types of explosive ordnance they may encounter in the field.

The following weeks are devoted to practical exercises: visual searches, metal detector use, vegetation cutting, excavation and emergency casualty evacuation drills. Each movement is repeated until it becomes second nature. Training sessions take place on specially prepared areas that replicate real conditions as closely as possible.

Continuous training for safer operations

Even after several years of experience, training remains a top priority. After each leave period, winter break or at regular intervals, deminers take part in refresher sessions. These exercises help them sharpen skills, integrate any new procedures and maintain high levels of vigilance.

Demining is a demanding profession. It requires working in the heat, rain and dust, often far from home and family for weeks at a time. Each day involves significant physical effort and constant focus. Yet the moment when a cleared field is finally handed back to its community brings a unique sense of fulfilment. The smiles of the deminers say it all: satisfaction, joy and pride in having made the world a little safer.

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For most travellers, the risks remain minimal as long as they stay on beaten tracks. However, accidents are not impossible: in 2019, for example, a German tourist was killed by an anti-personnel mine in northern Myanmar while travelling by motorbike. For people living in affected areas, by contrast, mines and explosive remnants of war represent a daily threat. Every activity – farming, collecting firewood, going to the market – can carry risks, while knowing that children might be playing in contaminated areas is a constant source of anxiety.

Clearing mine to open the way for tourism

Some countries struggle to attract visitors due to their reputation for insecurity. For them, mine clearance is key to reopening to tourism and generating income for recovery. Iraq, for instance, has immense tourism potential: exceptional historical heritage, major spiritual sites and spectacular natural landscapes. The mountains of Kurdistan, currently being cleared of mines, could soon welcome hikers and climbers in safety.

Other countries have already managed to largely erase the traces of past wars. Croatia, now one of Europe’s leading tourist destinations, was once heavily contaminated, with almost 2,000 victims of mines and explosive remnants of war recorded between 1991 and 2020. While not yet completely mine-free, a major clearance effort has secured tourist areas and allowed the country to rebuild its image.

The rise of “Dark Tourism”

While some may have visited a mine-affected country without realising it, others deliberately seek the thrill of danger. The growing trend of “dark tourism” includes visiting disaster areas, historic sites marked by tragedy, former battlefields – and in some cases, areas still contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war.

To travel safely, it is always best to follow official guidance, stay on marked paths and remain vigilant. Meanwhile, deminers are working every day to secure affected areas, protecting communities and enabling recovery. Their work is essential to ensure these regions can one day welcome travellers safely and begin a new chapter beyond conflict.

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It is with this in mind that FSD is currently supporting a promising Ukrainian NGO: the Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Protection (UCHP), which emerged from a civil volunteer movement at the onset of the conflict.

For a period of three years, FSD will support UCHP at every level: demining operations, field surveys, risk education, as well as human resources, logistics, finance, and governance. The goal is clear: to enable UCHP to become an independent, fully operational, and internationally recognised organisation, capable of securing its own funding and meeting the rigorous standards of humanitarian demining.

A first milestone successfully reached

In early June, a concrete first step was taken: a mine risk education team trained by FSD officially joined UCHP. Risk education is a key component of mine action — it helps prevent accidents by teaching communities the behaviours that can save lives.

The newly formed team led its first risk education session for students at the French International School in Pushcha-Vodytsia — a zone heavily impacted by the 2022 fighting and considered one of the most contaminated areas in the Kyiv region.

“What struck me most were the joyful reactions of the children — especially the youngest ones. Of course, the topic is serious, but they were very receptive. I’m convinced that teaching safety knowledge and reflexes from an early age can significantly reduce the number of mine-related accidents,” says Anastasiia Korunova, Director of UCHP.

Towards fully independent operational capacity

In the coming months, FSD will continue this knowledge-sharing effort. Every skill gained today, every locally trained team, represents another step towards a Ukraine capable of sustainably securing its land and protecting its population — even after international operators have withdrawn. Thanks to the support of Switzerland, which contributes both to demining operations on the ground and to the development of local capacities, Ukraine is gradually building the autonomy it needs to carry this mission forward in the long term.

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Report on a visit to Ukraine with FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage)

When you get involved with a humanitarian organisation like FSD, part of the job is to go where help is most urgently needed – even to unsafe areas. Whether as an expert, project manager or member of the board, it is important to listen, support, give thanks – and also, to assure donors that their contributions are going exactly where they are needed.

After careful monitoring of the security conditions up until the last moment, we made the decision to proceed with the trip, despite the tense situation on the ground.

9 May: arrival in the shadow of war

We travelled from Zurich to Warsaw by plane – and from there on the night train to Kyiv. 

The carriages were old, the beds narrow, and the rattling like something from another era. 

Fifteen hours of jolting later, the adventure truly  began. In between: a cold dinner, fragments of Ukrainian vocabulary, anxieties about the journey, crossing borders – first Poland, then Ukraine. 

The conversion of the wheel sets from narrow to broad gauge (a special feature of the post-Soviet railway infrastructure) seems to take forever. 

And then comes the customs checks, flashing lights, noises, a racing heart. Sleep is fleeting, but thoughts are not.

10 May – Kyiv: first impressions & first sirens

We arrived in Kyiv early in the morning. My head is buzzing, my body longs for rest — but there is no time for that. A quick check-in at the hotel, a shower – and off we go. 

After our first lunch together, we attend a security briefing with the Swiss embassy. The topic of the day: can the planned trip to Kharkiv really go ahead?

Later at the hotel: the first air raid siren. A gentle voice from the warning app urges us to go to the shelter. Memories of my time in Afghanistan come rushing back. I put on the go to the shelter. Memories of my time in Afghanistan come rushing back. I put on the night. No explosions. I remain on the small sofa – ready, but calm. 

11 May – Discussions, reality, respect

The next day doesn’t start until 10 a.m. – a welcome breather. Discussions with ministry representatives are on the agenda. The focus is on needs, coordination and the common will to find solutions. 

A short city tour reveals a surprisingly calm and tidy Kyiv. Despite three years of war, the population is striving for normality. The noise of drone alarms has long been part of daily life.

In the afternoon, the decision is made: we will travel to Kharkiv tonight – by night train, a seven-hour journey eastwards, closer to the front line. 

12 May – Kharkiv: a city scarred by war

Once an industrial and educational centre with 1.5 million inhabitants, today it is severely damaged by rocket attacks and constant threats. The city is only about 30 kilometres from the Russian border – and is therefore constantly under fire. 

We are taken directly to the field. Rain makes clearing mines too dangerous – the ground is too muddy. We use the time for a safety briefing and intense discussions with the team. 

The people who work here are as diverse as they are admirable: a former teacher clears mines so that children can play again. A mechanic who just wants to help. 

A marketing specialist who sees his service as a civic duty. Between the lines: anger towards Russia, pain, hope – and a deep desire for peace. 

Another highlight: the mine dogs with their handlers, who are being trained at FSD training ground and will hopefully be deployed soon. There are still a few Ukrainian administrative challenges that we were able to address with the ministry the day before. 

As night falls, we head back – for safety reasons. Kharkiv is bombed almost daily. On the train, we process what we have seen. And once again, we feel a deep sense of admiration for our team, which is performing at its best under the most difficult conditions. 

13 May: return, discussions, prospects

Back in Kyiv — a quick shower, then straight to the Ministry of Economy. The main topic: how can we clear agricultural land faster and safely so that the population can once again provide for itself? The close, trusting relationship between the ministry and FSD is proving invaluable – we speak openly and seek solutions together. 

Later, we visit FSD’s headquarters. We exchange with employees, reflect ongoing projects, and plan for the future – even as donations continue to decline.  

14 May: Chernihiv: hope amid the rubble 

Chernihiv – one of Ukraine’s oldest cities –was heavily hit during the first months of the war. Besieged and encircled by Russian forces for weeks in 2022, it now stands as a symbol of resilience and reconstruction.  

The day is packed from start to finish. We begin with a safety briefing, followed by an overview of current projects. Later, we join a training course on how to identify unexploded ordnance — known as the ‘sapper course’. In the afternoon, we attend an explosive ordnance risk education session with a group of primary school children.

One moment stands more than any other. We visit a kindergarten – now reopened after FSD teams cleared the grounds of mines. The headmistress, Olena, is nothing short of a heroine. During the attack, she protected children and organised a makeshift classroom underground. Her husband tried to remove glass shards with his bare hands. 

Five children did not survive the attack. Their grief is evident in their eyes. We look at each other – words are superfluous. 

The risk education training delivered t by three highly motivated FSD staff is impressive –methodically well thought out, child-friendly and delivered with passion. I wish every school in Switzerland could see this. Not to shock, but to awaken. Children should not have to identify unexploded ordnance. And yet, here, they must. 

Moving forward through professionalism

We visit other projects:  

• A drone demonstration for mine detection.
• A crater analysis exercise:  using reconnaissance drones, FSD teams capture detailed imagery of bombed area. I am amazed by the precision. FSD is exploring and applying the latest innovations in humanitarian demining. These visuals help map impact sites, guiding risk survey teams and allowing deminers to plan safer, more targeted clearance operations.
• A visit to the village of Yahidne,  occupied by Russian troops in 2022. Over 300 people, including children, were held captive in a cellar for weeks. 

Today, FSD teams are working at full capacity here: Rapid BAC (Battle Area Clearance), marking systems, mine detection dogs – every element counts. 

15 May: journey home & heavy thoughts

In the evening, we begin the long return – by train to Warsaw, then on to Switzerland. Time to take a deep breath, reflect and process everything. The body is tired, but the heart is full. 

What remains

This trip was no ordinary mission. It was a reminder. A warning. An affirmation. 

I am proud to be part of FSD – not only because of our work in Ukraine, but because we are present where help is needed most. Because we listen. Because we act. And because we prove that everyone can contribute: 

• Whether through donations, sharing knowledge, or simply through human interaction. 
• Peace does not begin at the negotiating table, but in our daily lives. 
• We only have one life. And only one Earth.

 Let’s strive to be more peaceful, more understanding, and more humble– for our children, and for ourselves.

Catherine André 

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Today, these areas—used for seasonal harvesting, grazing and wood collection—remain dangerous. Unexploded ordnance prevents communities from safely accessing essential natural resources and resuming daily activities. For several months now, FSD’s deminers have been working in the region to secure the land and enable families to rebuild their lives.

Learning how to stay safe around explosive hazards

In Shurob, over 2000 people have participated in explosive ordnance risk education sessions led by FSD. Children, teachers, healthcare workers and local residents have learned how to recognise explosive devices and adopt safe behaviours until the land is fully cleared.

Pastures made accessible again

More than 80,000 square metres of land have already been cleared by FSD around Shurob. This long and careful process is crucial to allow families to safely resume activities like foraging and grazing their livestock.

We used to graze our animals just next to the houses—only about 200 metres from the contaminated field. Once the land is cleared, we’ll be able to return safely with the animals and access the water reservoir again.

Mustafo

Resident of Shurob

Vital infrastructure rehabilitated

Shurob Hospital, like other local infrastructure, was not spared by the conflict. Power outages were frequent, and access to drinking water was limited. As part of its activities in the area, FSD installed solar panels and a water tank at the hospital, significantly improving patient care and working conditions for the medical staff.

A community greenhouse for food security

In the nearby village of Chorkuh, FSD has established a communal agricultural space. Managed by a group of women, the greenhouse provides fresh vegetables for local consumption and for sale. The initiative supports food security in a region weakened by the impacts of climate change, while also strengthening the economic independence of the women involved.

As residents of Shurob and Chorkuh gradually regain access to their land and a safer daily life, FSD continues its work in the region. Despite the challenges, Tajikistan has committed to clearing all mines and explosive remnants of war by 2032.

Active in the country for over 22 years, FSD will continue to work hand in hand with local authorities to help achieve this goal—building, village by village, a safer and more secure future for the next generations.

This project is supported by UK International Development from the UK government.

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Until recently, many residents were reluctant to report the presence of these items, due to fear, mistrust, or a lack…

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