Ecological safety after demining: Ukrainian military tested new technologies

The Ministry of Defense tested modern tools for ecological monitoring after demining. According to the department, the research was conducted at the training and testing complex UTTC, where the operation of modern demining equipment was recently demonstrated.

'After studying the chemical state of the soils, military ecologists found no residues of explosive substances. This confirmed the effectiveness of using mechanized demining machines and that they do not cause harmful effects on the natural environment,' the Ministry of Defense noted.

At the same time, at the demonstration detonation site, even under controlled conditions, post-explosion residues of TNT were recorded during the analysis. 'Such studies not only confirm the absence of explosive items but also ensure the ecological safety of the soils. This is important for clearing agricultural lands, as it affects the safe cultivation of agricultural products,' noted Colonel Yuriy Sytnyk, head of the Ecological Safety Department of the Main Directorate for Humanitarian Mine Action, Civil Defense, and Ecological Safety. The importance of implementing new quality control standards for demining could serve as a basis for developing national quality control standards for demining, especially in agricultural regions affected by hostilities. Research and testing of modern ecological monitoring tools allow confirming their effectiveness and safety for the environment, which is important for their further use by the military during demining and rescue operations.