Over 144,000 sq km considered potentially mined in Ukraine

Bohdan Drapiatyi, deputy head of the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, said this at a meeting with a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

He noted that in 2023, 174,000 square kilometres were potentially mined in Ukraine.

"Thus, as a result of the full-scale invasion of Russia, more than 144,000 square kilometres of Ukraine are considered potentially mined. More than a year ago, this figure was 174,000 square kilometres," the Deputy Minister said.

At the same time, Drapyatyi stressed that the state was able to clear some of the previously contaminated areas thanks to the efforts of sappers and the support of international partners.

• On June 29, it was reported that 30,000 square kilometres of the de-occupied territories in Ukraine have been declared safe from mine threats. This is more than 17% of the previous estimate of contamination.