"Even toys are mined": Ukraine reveals civilian casualties caused by Russian explosives

Due to Russian armed aggression, Ukraine has become one of the most mined countries in the world, said Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets.

"The occupying Russian forces deliberately mine civilian objects, forests, roads, abandoned equipment, and even children's toys. This creates a deadly danger for the population, prevents the restoration of destroyed territories, and violates basic human rights," he wrote.

According to his data, since February 2022, 336 people have died due to explosive objects, including 18 children. Another 825 people, including 92 children, have been injured.

The Ombudsman reminded that, as of the end of 2024, approximately 139,000 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory are considered potentially contaminated and need to be examined.

• During the ninth meeting of the Demining Coalition in November 2024, participants discussed Ukraine's needs for equipment and weaponry and agreed on a roadmap for assistance from 2025 to 2034.