Ukraine: Mine contamination is a deadly legacy of Russian invasion

Millions of mine scattered across the battlefield of Ukraine from the full Russian invasion 24. February 2022. year, making it the most dangerous place for unexploded weapons.

Growing toll

And how armed violence escalates around the world, the UN agency says the number has been injured and minimized mines and other explosive funds increased by 22 percent in 2024. years. This is more than 1,000 additional victims compared to 2023According to the UN specialized agency, which was established in 1997. years.

About 85 percent of the victims of the explosive office around the world are civilians and more than half are children.

Many of those at risk live in places where an active conflict is. But for some, the threat endures decades after the end of the fight.

A force for good

Demining existed for decades and earned recognition as a key moni primer for long-term peace and security, as well as development.

“You cannot have full access to agriculture and food safety if there are mine in the country“Said James Staples, the head for politics, advocacy, donor relations in the UNM.

“Children can’t go to school … You can’t create a job … people can’t go back to their homes, whether or not they are displaced,” said Mr. Staples, referring to internally displaced persons.

Repetition of conflict

The rush in the conflict is performing the work of experts for anti-municipal actions such as UNCA harder.

“We see a series of conflicts that grows and in terms of the number in the scope and in the scale,” the mayor of UNMAS politics told reporters in Geneva, in front Annual Conference of Community for Mine Action In Switzerland from 9 to 11. April.

UN Secretary General António Guterres echoed that message In their invitation to the action At mines – mine cleaning in the middle of the “tragically set” threat. “Mina, explosive remains of war and improvised explosive devices Continue threatening lives, interfere with humanitarian aid and peace setup and block the renovation“He said.

In Ukraine regions in Ukraine, the UN agencies also support efforts to build awareness of the protection of children from mines.

Live-saving lessons

“If we see him, we must call the police to remove it,” Kira said, a seven-year-old in the southeast of Zaporizhzhia.

Taking a UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) -Parter’s class is Anna Popsui, a senior inspector at the state emergency service, which he says That she and her colleagues always give stickers and coloring books after the lesson is completed.

“We also have lessons about what needs to be done if they find trapped under ruins,” Ms. Popsui added.

‘Untheived Horror’

In related development, the Russian strike on the city of Kryvyi Rih in Central Ukraine on Friday killed at least 18 people and wounded another 75, including nine children. Most played in the park when the rocket hit.

UN Office for Human Rights in Ukraine called the attack The deadliest individual strike that saves the children he checked since Russia launched his full invasion of the Earth in February 2022. Years.