Denis Monastyrsky: Ukraine needs to mine another 270 thousand square kilometers of territory
This was stated today, June 17, by the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Denis Monastyrsky during a live broadcast at the All-Ukrainian TV Marathon “Yedeni Novosti”. Informed about the state of demining in the state, the main tasks of the State Emergency Service for demining settlements, roads and territories adjacent to houses, emphasized the danger that may arise during recreation and swimming in water bodies.
“If we talk about quantity, today we understand that it is necessary to mine approximately 270 thousand square kilometers. This includes the occupied territories,” the head of the Ministry said.
According to him, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine directs the units of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine to carry out initial operational demining during the year.
“In simple words, the road between settlements should be depopulated, the settlement, the adjacent territories, as well as the territory around the settlements should be completely depopulated. But complete demining, which includes roads, forest strips, reservoirs — will take years,” said Denis Monastyrsky.
Regarding swimming on beaches, the Minister warned that it is dangerous to swim in most reservoirs in Kiev, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv regions due to the presence of explosive devices. Local authorities independently determine whether it is possible to swim in certain bodies of water. He also stressed that the study of reservoirs requires special professional equipment, which is currently not enough in Ukraine.
Monastyrsky added: “We have reached out to our international partners, colleagues from the European Union. They will help us with teams that will come from abroad, and directly with the equipment for such demining.”
As an example, he cited the demining of one of the lakes in Gostomel of the Kiev region, which lasted for a long time due to the lack of visibility under water, which greatly complicated the whole process of demining.
“If we talk about the sea, indeed, a few days ago in the village of Gribovka, Odessa region, there was an explosion on a mine, and one of the vacationers was killed. There, in the Odessa region, the local authorities prohibit bathing,” Denis Monastyrsky stressed.
According to him, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine is attracted by international support. The Minister assured that we are involved in the European Civil Protection Mechanism: “We receive all the necessary equipment and clothing for rescuers. As for pyrotechnic technology, it is a very specific technique that costs millions of euros. Today we are in talks with the UK, France and Italy.”
Therefore, the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs urged Ukrainians not to visit the reservoirs for the time being because of the mine hazard.
