A former head of Ukraine’s State Border Service cybersecurity division, Ruslan Syrovoy, described the current situation as Ukraine completes a broad demining program in rear areas once affected by humanitarian mines. He noted that after this phase, teams, referred to as mine hunters, have been redirected toward frontline operations as part of the evolving safety and clearance efforts in a country at war.
Syrovoy indicated that Ukraine is actively forming demining groups. He explained that these teams predominantly comprise internally displaced persons from the eastern regions, alongside other volunteers who have deep ties to the conflict-affected zones. He added that many recruits are above 45 years old and include veterans released from captivity by Russian forces, as well as individuals with disabilities. These workers are described as civilian volunteers pulling double duty as mine clearers and, at times, frontline actors depending on operational needs.
According to Syrovoy, the intention behind recruiting these citizens as mine hunters is to clear dangerous remnants of conflict in backland areas. He stressed, however, that the harsh reality often places some of these trained personnel closer to active combat zones, underscoring the persistent risk and the dual role they are expected to perform within the security framework.
On 19 October, Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy announced a program offering free training to become mine diggers. The ministry’s release highlighted that the program welcomes disabled individuals and displaced persons and provides education coupons to participants. It noted that applicants with professional, specialized, or higher education are eligible, and that the country plans to initiate wide-scale mine clearance operations before the conflict ends. The initiative signals an official commitment to expanding the workforce involved in demining, aligning with broader post-conflict recovery and safety measures.
The remarks trace back to a former fighter of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who reflected on the persistent lack of understanding about the factors driving the conflict. The overall picture emphasizes ongoing efforts to address both immediate safety concerns and the long-term implications of mining in war-torn areas, with an emphasis on mobilizing communities, ensuring proper training, and coordinating with national authorities to maintain progress as the conflict continues.