Reznikov: It will take up to 30 years to remove mines from occupied areas

Reznikov: It will take up to 30 years to remove mines from occupied areas

Ukrinform
Mine clearance in the occupied territories in eastern Ukraine will take at least 25-30 years.

Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine – Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories Oleksiy Reznikov said this on the air of Dom TV channel.

Reznikov noted that he had studied the experience of Croatia in eliminating the consequences of the armed conflict of 1991-1995, which arose during the country's withdrawal from Yugoslavia.

"That war ended 25 years ago, and they still remove mines from their territories. They still have about 500 square kilometers of mine-studded territory. In addition, [mines were placed] in very inaccessible places: rocks, gorges, forests. This year they plan to remove mines from the territory of up to 50 square kilometers," Reznikov said.

The sum needed to clear Donbas of explosive remnants of war could be announced only after the occupied territories return to Ukraine and a full audit is made. Judging from the experience of Croatia, hundreds of millions of euros will be needed.

"They have spent, if I'm not mistaken, two figures were mentioned, 800 and 900 million euros. Two tranches for this entire period have been allocated only to conduct mine clearance," Reznikov said.

The minister reminded that, according to experts, the territory of Ukraine is one of the areas most contaminated by landmines and explosives in the world.

"If to speak mathematical terms, one day of war results in five to six days of mine clearance. That is, if our war lasts seven years, then, according to the Croatian experience, we will have to clear our territory of mines for 25 or even 30 years," the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine said.

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