Explosive technicians of the Zhytomyr region police told about the danger left by the “Russian measure” in the Kiev region
Within a month, two specialists of the unit of the explosives service of the GUNP of Zhytomyr region as part of the consolidated detachment worked in the Kiev region. In the de-occupied settlements of the capital region, clearance of territories from dangerous surprises left by the Russian invaders continues. Therefore, police explosives, as well as their fellow rescuers and military personnel, are in demand specialists in restoring a safe space for the lives of Ukrainians.
Our conversation with the senior inspector of the unit of the explosives service of the GUNP of Zhytomyr region police captain Artem Ovcharov. He recently returned from a business trip to the Kiev region, where he and his colleagues worked for a month on the demining of territories and settlements occupied by Russian troops since February.
— It was the beginning of April and the first days of the liberation of Kyiv region from the invaders. We knew exactly where we were going and what we had to do there. By that time, they had already heard that the occupiers were left behind after the retreat. However, what was seen in the cities of Bucha, Irpen, Gostomel, in the villages was several times tougher. For unprepared people it is simply shocking, - says Artem Ovcharov.
The task of the combined detachment of police explosives technicians, which included the Zhytomyr specialist, was to clear the liberated territories from explosive ammunition or other objects that may pose a threat to people. During the business trip, a group of specialists, which included Artem, worked in the cities of the capital region, a number of villages and on agricultural lands.
The Russians left a lot of ammunition. More insidious acts could not be invented. First of all, these are stretch marks. It doesn't matter — whether on the roads or at the entrance to human neighborhoods. But this is a real danger to the lives of peaceful locals, from those who survived after the brutal occupation. People often pointed to objects in their neighborhoods or apartments that seemed suspicious to them. We thoroughly checked, removed or neutralized everything just on the spot.
According to the policeman, the threatening finds were varied - from hand grenades to large-sized shells of heavy artillery. Most of this “good” is in the fields and forests of the Kiev region. For example, more than 400 munitions were seized from one agricultural land by explosives. Collected in settlements numbered dozens, and sometimes even reached several hundred.
— For us, such work is a tremendous practical experience. But for local people, the presence of explosives is a real danger. To fully restore a safe environment for living in de-occupied territories, as in my opinion, it will take more than one year. But we are charged with ensuring that in our country our people live without such threats. Therefore, both I and my colleagues are waiting for the next rotation to the consolidated squad, in order to restore a safe space as soon as possible,” concluded police captain Artem Ovcharov.
National Police of Ukraine
