Ukraine is now one of the countries most contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants in the world

3 years on since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine is now one of the countries most contaminated by explosive ordnance in the world. The widespread use of explosive weapons is having terrible consequences for the population and the suffering of civilians must stop, says Humanity & Inclusion, an international charity working in Ukraine and other conflict zones.

• Nearly 29% of Ukraine’s territory contaminated by explosive ordnance
• More than 40,000 civilian casualties since 2022
• Explosive ordnance risk education sessions are organised for children in underground schools
• Humanity & Inclusion (HI) teams are seeing many serious injuries such as traumatic amputations and burns due to explosive ordnance
• Exposure to constant stress in the context of the ongoing war is affecting people's health, weakening them both psychologically and physically.

Ukraine is one of the most contaminated countries in the world

The Government of Ukraine estimates that 174,000km2 (or nearly 29%) of Ukraine’s territory may be contaminated by landmines and explosive remnants. This poses an ever-present danger to communities struggling to live in affected regions, with children particularly at risk.

Since the escalation of the war in February 2022, intense heavy bombing has been devastating towns and cities in Ukraine, resulting in more than 40,000 civilian casualties - at least 12,000 killed and over 27,000 injured. The actual figures are likely to be much higher and, as the violence continues, the numbers of innocent people killed and injured continues to rise. 

These are men, women, children and older people who lived close to the front line and were caught up in the fighting while at home or on their way home from work.

“Ukraine is now considered one of the countries most contaminated with landmines and
explosive remnants of war in the world. The scale of it is terrifying” explains Gary Toombs, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expert for Humanity & Inclusion. “One of our teams’ missions is to teach children and adults how to stay safe from bombardments and unexploded ordnance so they can continue to live their lives as safely as possible with all this danger around them.” he adds.

Explosive ordnance risk education sessions are organised in affected communities, some of them in school and sometimes underground. In Kharkiv for example where bombs fall nearby and danger is constant, children now have to go to school in the metro. Spaces once designed for public transport have now become places for education. 

“In these classrooms, our teams teach life-saving lessons. They teach children how to recognise the dangers around them, such as landmines, unexploded bombs, and even toys rigged with explosives. They also learn how to navigate checkpoints, present documents to Ukrainian soldiers, and why it’s dangerous to play near bombed trees or abandoned houses.” explains Toombs.

Huge physical, psychological and social impact

In addition to forcing 3.5 million people to flee inside the country, the conflict has claimed almost 40,000 civilian victims since 2022, including more than 12,000 dead and 27,000 injured. 

Explosive weapons are injuring and killing civilians, reducing access to essential services such as health and livelihoods and impacting people’s mental health, their social interactions, and their education.

The large-scale contamination of land by explosive ordnance has created an “invisible threat” in people’s minds, especially in areas that were on the frontline and are now accessible again. As a result, people’s movements are extremely reduced or restricted, they can no longer cultivate their land and their social, economic, or professional activities are hindered.

"Civilians and in particular children are the most impacted by this conflict. Our teams are seeing many serious physical injuries such as traumatic amputations and burns due to explosive ordnance. Nowhere in Ukraine is safe.” says Toombs.

The psychological trauma is equally severe and people’s mental health is particularly impacted. Exposure to constant stress in the context of the ongoing war affects people's health, weakening them both psychologically and physically.

Victoria Perez, mental health specialist for HI in Ukraine explains: "Everyone in Ukraine is impacted by war in one way or another. Air raid alarms and shellfire can be extremely frightening and stressful and can keep people on constant alert. Many people have family members or acquaintances who live or work close to the front line, or who are themselves in an area close to the front line. Civilians are constantly worried about their own safety and that of their loved ones. One of the things we hear most often is a deep sense of uncertainty about the future. This is a source of stress for many people, who feel that they can't make plans, and that even their current situation could be jeopardized." 

Notes

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal expert available for interviews upon request

About Humanity & Inclusion’s work

For the past three years, HI’s teams on the ground in Ukraine have been providing inclusive humanitarian aid to people affected by war. This includes: 

• Identifying the needs of survivors of explosive weapons and referring them to HI’s  rehabilitation or psychological support services, and when we cannot meet their needs (e.g. provision of food) referring them to other local and international humanitarian actors. 
• Strengthening access to quality physical and functional rehabilitation, mental health and psychosocial support services, particularly for people with disabilities, their caregivers and healthcare professionals. 
• Providing financial support to people impacted by the war, people with disabilities and vulnerable households affected by the conflict, so that they can cover their basic needs.
• Raising awareness among civilians and other humanitarian actors of the dangers of explosive remnants of war and shelling, particularly in areas that are difficult to access or that Ukraine has just regained control of.
• Facilitate the rapid delivery of humanitarian goods to conflict-affected populations through shared storage and transport services. 

HI has active bases in the Dnipro, Kharkiv and Mykolaiv regions, an office in Poltava and its headquarters in Kyiv. A total of 208,139 people have been supported by HI since the escalation of the war in Ukraine.

HI’s Emergency response since 2022 in figures: (updated in December 2024)

• Nearly 14,994 rehabilitation sessions organised
• 1,924 healthcare workers trained in physical rehabilitation and psychosocial and mental health support.
• 2,033 aid workers trained in physical rehabilitation, psychosocial support and mental health
• 3,708 group and individual psychosocial support sessions were provided for 9,812 people
• 5,219 different assistive devices (wheelchairs, canes, toilet chairs, etc.) were distributed to 1,103 people
• 9,927 people were identified, assessed and referred to the appropriate services, and 3,713 people (aid workers, community representatives) trained in the principles of protection and inclusion.
• More than 175,091 people participated in awareness-raising sessions on the dangers of explosive remnants of war. 5,247 humanitarian workers and 573 community focal points were trained
• 70 humanitarian organisations (including 28 local NGOs) supported by HI’s Atlas Logistique unit.
• 51,190m3 of humanitarian products stored.
• 3,529 shipments organised by Atlas Logistique teams to deliver humanitarian aid.