Clearing Russia’s Deadly Mines in Ukraine: The Dangerous Task
Last summer, I followed Matthew O’Callaghan, a field officer for the humanitarian mine-clearance organization the HALO Trust, along a narrow line of trees in the flat, open countryside of northeastern Ukraine, about thirty miles outside the city of Kharkiv. We stopped in front of a patch of overgrown grass that was cordoned off with red-and-white tape. O’Callaghan pointed down at a green metal stake. Attached to the stake was a trip wire, and attached to the trip wire was, presumably, an OZM-72 antipersonnel mine. “We haven’t found the OZM yet,” O’Callaghan said. I anxiously scanned the grass to see where it might be. More than five hundred feet away, hidden beneath the trees, was an abandoned Russian trench. It was what the mine was there to defend, even though the soldiers who had once occupied it were long gone. The deminers assigned to the tree line had so far found two OZMs and three grenades on trip wires. A third OZM had been set off by a dog; it was killed on the spot.
The Danger of OZM-72 Mines
An OZM-72 is what’s known as a bounding fragmentation mine. When someone makes contact with a trip wire, it triggers a pint-glass-size metal cannister to shoot into the air and explode in a hail of shrapnel that can kill someone standing as far as eighty feet away. OZMs are among the deadliest mines that Russian forces have used in Ukraine since Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of the country, in February of 2022. They’re also among the most dangerous to clear. In the summer of 2023, a HALO deminer was killed by one in southern Ukraine; two others were injured in the same incident. The deminers near Kharkiv didn’t want to take any chances.
The Human Toll and Economic Impact
Mines and explosive remnants of war in Ukraine have killed three hundred and twenty-one civilians and injured seven hundred and seventy-four others since the start of the conflict. Ukrainian farmers have been hit especially hard, with millions of acres of cropland laying abandoned, resulting in more than a billion dollars’ worth of lost crops. Mykoli Kalatay, a farmer, shared his harrowing experience of living through the war and the impact on his family and livelihood.
The Complex History of Demining
The article delves into the history of demining efforts, including the role of HALO and other organizations in clearing mines around the world. From Princess Diana’s iconic walk through a minefield to the current challenges faced in Ukraine, the process of demining remains a critical and dangerous task.
In conclusion, the article highlights the ongoing efforts to clear Ukraine of mines and explosive remnants of war, shedding light on the long-lasting impact of conflict on communities and the environment. The work of deminers like Natalia in Mykolaiv exemplifies the dedication and bravery required to make Ukraine safe again.
