On the occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action celebrated on April 4th, Ben Lark, the head of the demining program at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, answered questions from the Regional Information Center of the United Nations in Brussels.
This British expert has worked in almost all conflict zones over the past 35 years around the world, including the Balkans, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa.
“Is it fair to say that Ukraine is the most heavily contaminated country in the world by mines and explosive remnants of war?” Ben Lark responded affirmatively, highlighting that the estimates are uncertain, but in December 2025, approximately 133,300 square kilometers of Ukraine’s territory were considered contaminated, representing nearly 22% of the national territory.
The presence of these explosives does not solely originate from the Russian invasion or the events of 2014; in fact, the entire territory has been heavily contaminated since the two World Wars. The magnitude of the contamination poses a significant challenge, particularly as new areas continue to be affected.
Regarding the timeline for demining Ukraine, Lark indicated that it is not about when demining will be completed, but rather when contamination levels will be reduced to a non-threatening level for the population. The challenges faced by the Ukrainian government in combating mine contamination include coordination, governance, and maintaining donor support.
The main type of weapon contaminating Ukraine is landmines and various other munitions exchanged during combat, in addition to the extensive use of drones in the conflict. The cleanup efforts are crucial not only for saving lives but also for facilitating reconstruction efforts in a hazardous environment.
The UNDP’s role in supporting Ukraine involves enhancing governance structures, providing equipment, training, and fostering the development of the commercial demining sector in the country. The ultimate goal is to reduce civilian casualties and accelerate the demining process throughout Ukraine.
While daunting, the work of demining remains essential to protect lives and support the recovery and rebuilding of communities affected by conflict in Ukraine.
