Estonia sends mobile demining camp to Ukraine

The camp, destined for a humanitarian demining unit in the Zhytomyr Region, was a collaborative project between the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) and the Estonian Rescue Association.

Over the past three years, Ukraine has become the most mined country in the world. Over 250,000 km2 or a third of Ukraine's territory is estimated to be mined, threatening civilian lives, hindering economic development, especially in agriculture, and slowing down reconstruction.

According to Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, this mobile demining camp will contribute to solving an extremely serious problem as Russia's full-scale assault continues and Ukraine's need for aid increases.

"Over 30% of Ukraine's territory has been mined, and at the current pace of demining, it would take 700 years to clear it. Therefore, every bit of additional aid will make Ukraine safer, faster,” said Tsahkna.

In Ukraine, humanitarian demining efforts are primarily carried out by police and rescue service deminers. The most heavily mined areas are often far from large population centres, with little infrastructure to ensure safe working conditions for deminers.

“Considering Ukraine’s need to move to the mined areas quickly, we proposed, together with the Rescue Association, the idea of ​​a mobile modular camp, consisting of specially outfitted trailers to accommodate a 44-member demining team,” said Margus Gering, head of Cooperation and Development for Ukraine at ESTDEV. “This is a flexible, cost-effective solution. Transporting the trailers does not require a special vehicle; they can be transported using existing vehicles.”

The demining camp sent by Estonia consists of nine trailers with built-in headquarters, sleeping quarters, a washroom with a toilet and shower, a kitchen, and equipment and repair rooms. All trailers are equipped with air conditioning and a heat pump. The campus also has Starlink devices for internet use and a special trailer for a generator to ensure continuous operation in areas without reliable electricity.

The Estonian company Alro Metal manufactured the trailers after winning the 365,000 euro public procurement organised to implement the project. Volunteers from the Estonian Rescue Association transported the trailers to Ukraine.

Piia Kallas, head of the Estonian Rescue Association and project advisor, said the mobile demining campus will help Ukrainian police officers move more efficiently in war zones. "The assistance sent by Estonians allows police officers to accommodate large demining units in crisis centres and areas near the front, saving time and ensuring their mobility in case of danger," Kallas said.

"There is no mobile combined working-and-living environment of this type in Estonia, which is why Ukrainians' feedback on the product's functioning is important, allowing us to create a similar solution in Estonia if necessary," Kallas added.

According to ESDTEV’s executive director, Klen Jäärats, this collaborative project with the Estonian Rescue Association will increase the operational efficiency and efficacy of humanitarian demining units in Ukraine and improve the deminers’ living and working conditions during missions.

"Landmines are silent killers, and explosives planted during the war can remain hidden in the ground for decades. This widespread contamination significantly complicates the rebuilding and restoration of the areas most affected by the conflict. Ukrainians face a long-term demining challenge, and Estonia is ready to help make Ukraine safe for its people again, so the economy can recover and reconstruction can move forward," Jäärats said.