Ukraine has already cleared mines from 35,000 square kilometers of land; economic losses are estimated at $11.2B annually.

Currently, 174,000 square kilometers of land in Ukraine have been mined. Since 2022, thanks to the joint efforts of Ukraine and its partners, sappers have surveyed and returned 35,000 square kilometers to safe use, Ukrainian Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said at the UMAC 2024 Conference on Mine Action in Ukraine. “Ukraine is now one of the most contaminated countries in the world. This is a critical challenge for both Ukrainians and the international community. The first issue is security. Without proper measures, the number of victims could increase to 9,000 by 2030. The second is economic recovery. Economic losses due to mined territories reach $11.2B per year. The third is global food security. Ukraine is among the top ten wheat producers in the world, exporting grain to 57 countries. Before the invasion, Ukraine fed 400 million people, but now the supply chains are destroyed.” Svyrydenko concluded by stressing the importance of further joint work on these issues.