In a report issued on Tuesday, November 18, by the international non-governmental organization Humanity & Inclusion (H&I), which supports landmine victims and works to ban anti-personnel mines, the economic costs of Ukraine related to the cleanup of mined areas were estimated. The organization also presented dramatic humanitarian consequences — resulting, in her opinion, from an outdated military strategy.
In February this year, a report was published which stated that approx. sq km of Ukrainian territory is contaminated with landmines. This constitutes almost one third of the entire territory of Ukraine.
A new H&I report shows that Ukrainian land has become a field full of invisible traps. And the effects of this phenomenon affect both the economy and ordinary people.
The Ministry of Economy estimated earlier this year that demining operations could take over a year and cost up to $35 billion. (approx. PLN 128 billion). In turn, a report published by the H&I organization estimated this amount at approximately USD 30 billion. (approx. PLN 110 billion).
It also stated that landmine contamination costs Ukraine approximately $11 billion. (approx. PLN 41 billion) annually, i.e. almost 6%. its pre-war GDP.
As noted by TVP World, since the full invasion in 2022, Russian forces have installed millions of land mines on the country's territory. According to the report of the United Nations Mine Action Service, this places Ukraine among the most mined countries in the world – on a par with the Gaza Strip, Sudan and Syria.
Sign “Attention: mines!” in front of barbed wire lines in a field in the Kharkiv region. Ukraine, March 29, 2025Ukrinform/East News / East News
Ukraine, whose economy is largely based on agriculture, is particularly affected by the effects of landmining. It is estimated that about 17 percent national GDP comes from the agricultural sector, and this makes it exactly farmers are the most vulnerable to tragic accidents caused by hidden explosives.
H&I, which received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its work on countering landmines, emphasized that in addition to the economic damage, the humanitarian costs could be dire. It is estimated that 80 percent all landmine victims were civilians.
The deployment of landmines in Ukraine has already taken a tragic toll on people, hampered the country's reconstruction and placed future generations at grave risk.
– said Duncan Ball, H&I representative responsible for Ukraine.
“I wouldn't go home”
The crisis related to the mass mining of the country may also significantly extend the process of returning millions of Ukrainian refugees. Many citizens are afraid that there may still be hidden explosives in their towns, preventing them from returning to normal life peacefully and confidently.
“Even if there was a ceasefire, I wouldn't go home,” said Vadym Loktionov, project manager at H&I, quoted in the report.
It won't be dangerous there for a long time. If I have children one day, I don't want to live in fear for their lives
– he added.
As the report indicates, in December 2024, less than half of Ukrainian refugees declared their willingness to return to their homeland – while in November 2022 this percentage reached 75%.
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“No more than a tactical inconvenience”
In its report, the organization also argued that the minefield strategy does much more harm to civilians than it effectively deters military advances. From an H&I perspective, landmines are not keeping pace with the development of modern military technologies and are becoming a solution from a previous era.
— Modern armed forces currently use the capabilities of the ISTAR military system: intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance. They use satellite imagery, drones and ground sensors that allow them to detect troop concentrations and monitor enemy activities in real time.
These technologies can identify minefields as they are being laid, meaning most mine-laying operations are no longer secret or tactically unpredictable
explained Gary Toombs, an explosives disposal expert.
— In addition, military equipment such as mine plows, rollers or armored engineering vehicles allow for the quick creation of “safe” corridors. In recent conflicts, including in Ukraine, it was possible to observe how coordinated actions of various types of troops, supported by precise firepower and engineering facilities, can effectively break even strongly fortified defense linesincluding minefields, he added.
— Anti-personnel landmines, once seen as a persistent threat, now cause only temporary disruptions, not decisive delays.
In short, no minefield can stop determined and technologically advanced forces.
Land mines have become at most a tactical inconvenience, not a barrier, the expert concluded.
I’m Ashley Davis as an editor, I’m committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accuracy in every piece we publish. My work is driven by curiosity, a passion for truth, and a belief that journalism plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse. I strive to tell stories that not only inform but also inspire action and conversation.
