24-Year-Old Deminer Killed in Russian Strike: Ukraine Aims to Scale Up Specialist Force to 500.

Deadly Incident in Novopetrivka

According to Espreso.tv: A Russian shelling attack in Novopetrivka has claimed the life of a 24-year-old demining expert, while three other members of the same organization sustained injuries. This tragedy occurred under the NPA program, which has been operational in Ukraine since May 2022. According to Oleksandr Prokudin,

“a 24-year-old demining specialist sustained injuries incompatible with life. My condolences to his family and loved ones.”

The NPA Program’s Work

The NPA program began implementing mine action measures in February 2023. Currently, there are 137 certified mine action operators working across Ukraine. Key activities under the program include:

• 16 non-technical survey teams operating in the Sumy, Mykolaiv, and Kherson regions;
• 38 manual demining teams in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions.

As part of this initiative, Ukraine is utilizing 20 mine-detection dogs along with their handlers, as well as 16 mechanical assets in the Mykolaiv and Kherson regions. A significant goal is to increase the number of demining specialists to 500, with 95% of them being Ukrainian nationals. This expansion would help reclaim 40,700 square kilometers of territory that currently requires clearance.

The tragedy in Novopetrivka underscores the extreme dangers faced by demining personnel in Ukraine, as well as the critical importance of their work for safety and territorial recovery.

This event highlights the ongoing risks confronting specialists tasked with clearing areas affected by hostilities. Supporting programs like NPA is vital for restoring safety in active conflict zones. Scaling up the workforce and resources will not only reduce life-threatening hazards but also accelerate the reconstruction of infrastructure and the safe return of people to once-dangerous areas.