Demining in the Mykolaiv region: what everyone should know about

Machine for mechanized demining MV-10, archival photo NikVesti

Significant territories of Ukraine have become dangerous due to landmines. Currently, our country is considered one of the most mined in the world. Only since February 24, 2022, 309 people have died from the detonation of mines and explosive objects. About 142 thousand km² are considered potentially mined.

Due to the hostilities taking place in the Mykolaiv region, the territories of the region also became dangerous, especially the de-occupied Snihurivka district.

In today's realities, everyone should know the rules of mine safety. This is also emphasized by the deputy head of the pyrotechnic works of underwater and humanitarian demining, Yevhen Skumbrii. He told the editors of NikVesti about mines that occur in the de-occupied territories and how to recognize them.

The most frequent causes of undermining are ignorance and carelessness

As of September 2024, almost half of the 30,000 hectares to be demined in the Mykolaiv region have been cleared. However, mine danger is still a serious problem that requires caution and attention. Knowing safety rules and being able to recognize suspicious objects can save lives.

Eugene Mackerel

Yevhen Skumbrii notes that despite the fact that the population has become more aware of mines, carelessness is still the main cause of detonations.

«Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, probably more than 50 people have been blown up. The main reason is negligence, ignorance of what it is. Farmers who say: «I need to cultivate, earn money.» They go themselves, people are sent there, they are blown up by anti-tank mines, by anti-personnel mines. I had a case where there were three people from a dysfunctional family. The farmer hired them, paid money. They were detonated by an OZM-72 (anti-personnel springing fragmentation mine of circular effect, — note). One miraculously survived, two died immediately,» he says.

The tractor blew up on a mine during operation, illustrative photo

Also, according to Yevhen Skumbrii, people often try to disassemble found ammunition that detonates.

— Often people take it apart themselves in order to pass it on to a metal somewhere later. This is also the main problem. Also, many people go to saw firewood: «There's a landing there, I need to saw firewood, I'm going there.» They also went out at night to pull out people in the Snihurivka district. The wheels of the car blew up on anti-personnel mines. Yes, people have become more aware. There seems to be a decrease in the number of people who blow themselves up. But on the other hand, they know what they can touch and what not, and they start carrying cassettes and ammunition,» the expert says.

Mined Mykolaiv region: what mines are found

Yevhen Skumbrii says that during the demining of the Mykolaiv region, it was most difficult to work in the Snihurivka district.

«We worked both in the city of Mykolaiv and outside the city of Mykolaiv, the most dangerous place where we worked was the Snihurivka community. What was de-occupied territory,» he says.

According to him, various explosive objects are found in the territory of Mykolaiv region after de-occupation. Among them are mines of various types: They can be anti-personnel, anti-tank and engineering mines. They can be hidden in soil, grass or even on roads.

Demining of Mykolaiv Oblast, March 2023. Photo: DSNS

There are also unexploded shells that remained after shelling and did not explode. They can be found in buildings, fields and other places. In addition, there are grenades and other ammunition left over from the fighting

According to the specialist, the PMN-3 mine, which is also called a medallion, is the most dangerous because it reads human steps and magnetic fluctuations.

But the most difficult thing, according to Yevhen Skumbrii, is to neutralize the OZM-72 mine. This is an anti-personnel pop-up fragmentation mine with a circular effect, which was developed in Soviet times. The abbreviation is deciphered as «fragment block mine».

Mine OZM-72. Photo from open sources

«It is most difficult to neutralize the OZM-72 mine, it is also called a witch mine. It is installed as a controlled blow-up, as well as on a stretch. You hook the wire, and it floats one and a half meters above the ground and that's it, there is nothing alive within a radius of 50 meters. It can be well disguised in the ground, so that only the wire will be visible. It can be in the grass, in weeds. It is very difficult to find. Plus, there may be landmine traps near it,» he adds.

The editors of NikVesti present an infographic of a variety of mines

Read more about what mines are and how to distinguish them in the material NikVesti.

The main challenges in demining Ukraine and the Mykolaiv region

In Mykolaiv region, demining continues, but this process is slow. Search and disposal of explosive objects may take many more years. And this, in turn, requires significant financial resources, technical equipment and qualified specialists.

Research on financial solutions that will help promote mine action in Ukraine is currently relevant. According to the study «Strengthening financing of mine action in Ukraine», which was carried out with the support of UNDP, it is possible to attract funds for mine action in the Mykolayiv region and in Ukraine in general with the help of thematic bonds and public-private partnerships (PPPs).

«The product offers bonds issued by the government of Ukraine to finance mine action activities and promote sustainable development. It is modeled on the example of the transition to organic cultivation of winter wheat and the implementation of zero tillage. The financial model is based on a $250 million bond issue, with 50% of the proceeds going to mine action and 50% to sustainable development initiatives,» the study said.

Employees of the State Emergency Service and a GCS-200 mechanized demining machine. Photo: NikVesti

We are also talking about the introduction of a public-private partnership model, which links mine action with the development of the private sector. Currently, we are talking about the construction of solar power plants. The model assumes that the private sector invests in clearing the territory for the construction of solar power plants, while receiving concessions from the Ukrainian government and incentive payments based on results from donors.

«As in the case of the thematic bonds linked to sustainable development (TOPR), to obtain additional funding for demining, the Ukrainian government reimburses a share of the revenue from the sale of solar energy through a «Special Demining Levy» in addition to income tax and VAT. The model shows how a $10 million 10MW solar pilot project can attract $13 million in new private finance for mine action through revenue share,» the study says.

Mine hazards affect everyone

Demining territories is expensive work. The state is actively looking for opportunities and funding to carry out these works. This is an important task that requires significant resources and cooperation with international partners. Attracting donor and investment funds, international grants and loans can significantly speed up the process of decontamination of explosive objects.

Sappers work on a minefield near Snihurivka, March 2024, archive photo NikVesti

At the same time, while this process is going on, it is important to conduct information campaigns to increase the awareness of the population about mine danger and the rules of safe behavior. People should know how to recognize a mine, what to do if one is detected and where to go for help.

Mine danger is a real threat that both the state and every citizen should be concerned about, remembering caution and prudence.

Read also articles by NikVesti:

• «What to do if you find a mine: instructions from rescuers».
• «We didn't wait for them to do it for us»: how Nibulon demined 98% of its fields in Mykolaiv region in just one year.