Photo: Oleksii Ushakov / UNDP in Ukraine
Kharkiv, Ukraine, 21 January 2026 — A new cohort of 40 demining specialists, including war veterans and families of service members, has begun field operations across Kharkiv Oblast. Having completed intensive training in non-technical survey (NTS) and explosive risk education, these specialists – many of whom are veterans with disabilities – are now leading the effort to return safe land to their communities.
The intensive training programme is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine with the support of the governments of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, in partnership with the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, the Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and the Mine Action Coordination Centre. Operational implementation of the project is carried out by the state enterprise Ukroboronservice.
The three-week training course combined theoretical lectures, practical field exercises, safety procedures, and the use of digital tools. Upon completion of the course, all participants received official offers of employment with Ukroboronservice for a period of 12 months.
Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, noted: “Mine action is a long-term effort that requires a large number of trained specialists. In my view, engaging veterans significantly strengthens this area of work. It covers a wide range of tasks — from explosive risk education and data analysis to clearance and disposal. This work is essential to making communities safer and returning land to productive use.”
The programme graduates have formed 10 teams, which will work in communities across Kharkiv Oblast over the course of the year, helping to reduce risks to the civilian population.
Kharkiv Oblast was selected as a pilot region due to its having one of the highest levels of contamination with explosive hazards in Ukraine: Since the start of the full-scale invasion, 430 people have been injured by explosive hazards in the region – more than 30 percent of all such cases nationwide.
For participating veterans, the programme has provided an opportunity not only to acquire a new profession, but also to return to an active civilian life and contribute to work that has a direct impact on public safety.
Yuliia Kirillova, Deputy Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, added: “State veteran policy is not only about support after service, but about creating real opportunities for a dignified return to civilian life. Employment is one of the key tools for such a return. That is why it is essential for us that training programmes are immediately linked to official jobs and clear professional prospects.”
“This initiative to train humanitarian demining specialists is an example of how, in partnership with UNDP, international donors and other government institutions are creating jobs for veterans and families of service members while strengthening community safety and the country’s recovery,” Kirillova noted.
Auke Lootsma, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, emphasized: “Supporting veterans is one of UNDP’s priorities in Ukraine, and for us it is important that this support goes beyond assistance, and creates real opportunities. This project combines employment for veterans with work that is critically important for the country – humanitarian demining and improving community safety.”
Yevhen Ivanov, Deputy Head of the Kharkiv Regional Oblast Administration, added: “For Kharkiv Oblast, humanitarian demining has a direct impact on everyday life in communities and on people’s ability to live and work safely. Through this project, veterans have the opportunity not only to gain a new profession, but also to return to active civilian life and contribute to work that is critically important for the region.”
Media inquiries:
Yuliia Samus, Head of Communications and Advocacy, UNDP Ukraine; yuliia.samus@undp.org