Project description:

Challenge: In the Mykolaiv region, about 25,000 ha of forests are contaminated with explosive ordnance, posing risks to people, raising the threat of wildfires, and preventing ecosystem restoration. Forests are the lungs of the planet, but without demining war-contaminated land, reforestation and renewal are impossible. With critically insufficient funding, UDS, as a socially responsible company, decided to conduct demining in this region.

Solution: UDS applies certified humanitarian demining processes. Teams are equipped with drones, Valon and Trembita detectors, Toyota Hilux vehicles, and protective gear. UDS and partners implement ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management). A technical survey with Bozena 5+ robotic systems made the process faster and safer for deminers.

Result: In 2024, a non-technical survey of 39.2 hectares and a technical survey using robotic machines were conducted. As a result, 21.78 hectares identified as contaminated during the survey were released. All survey and clearance data were recorded in the International Mine Action Information Management System (IMSMA). Thanks to demining, the State Enterprise «Forests of Ukraine» gained the opportunity to plant about 43,000 trees (calculation: 21.78 ha × ~2,000 seedlings/ha = ≈43,560 trees).

Partners:

UDS (Ukrainian Demining Services, LLC), Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration (RMA), State Enterprise Forests of Ukraine, State Agency of Forest Resources of Ukraine, Interregional Humanitarian Demining and Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and the Mine Action Center of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

Category: Ukraine Recovery

Company: Ukrainian Demining Services, LLC (UDS)

About the company: 

Ukrainian Demining Services, LLC (UDS) was established in September 2023. UDS is the largest humanitarian demining operator in Ukraine, with its central office located in Kyiv. The company employs 270 staff members (40% women and 40% veterans) and operates 6 demining departments, which include 23 demining teams. UDS has the largest portfolio of certified demining processes and ranks among the top three leaders in terms of the volume of cleared territories.