Clearing Ukraine of Landmines Could Take Decades

The complete removal of landmines from Ukraine may stretch on for decades after the war ends, according to Paul Heslop, head of the UNDP’s Mine Action Program in Ukraine, as cited by Ukrinform on May 5.

Heslop outlined a phased approach to the daunting task of demining.

“Eliminating the immediate threats that endanger lives could take around five years,” he explained. “Dealing with the bulk of the problem may require ten to fifteen years.” However, full clearance, he cautioned, could take much longer.

To illustrate the long-term nature of such efforts, Heslop referenced Germany and Belgium, where unexploded munitions from the First and Second World Wars continue to be unearthed.

“In Belgium, farmers still collect what’s called the ‘iron harvest’—artillery shells from World War I that surface during plowing. That’s more than a century later,” he noted.

Despite the grim timeline, Heslop expressed optimism that Ukraine could mitigate the everyday risks of landmines far more quickly.

With the right international support, new technology, and the resolve of the Ukrainian people, the country could see major progress within the next decade.

“With proper resources and the ingenuity and drive of Ukrainians, I believe we can significantly reduce the threat of landmines to everyday life within five to ten years,” Heslop said. “But the long-term consequences will still linger for decades.”

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Ukraine has recorded 811 civilian incidents linked to explosive remnants of war.

According to data from April 8, a total of 1,158 people have been affected, including 335 deaths—18 of them children.