In October 2024, APOPO’s Ukraine team achieved a significant milestone by earning certification from the National Mine Action Center (NMAC) Chernihiv to conduct Technical Survey and Mine Detection Dog (TSD/MDD) operations. This official certification is the culmination of ten months of dedicated training and preparation, allowing APOPO to begin conducting Technical Surveys across contaminated areas in collaboration with the Mines Advisory Group (MAG).
“Sustained commitment from our partners and donors will allow us to expedite the return of safe, previously suspected contaminated land to the Ukrainian people,” said Nick Guest, APOPO’s Ukraine Program Manager.
Together, APOPO and MAG are poised to make a meaningful impact by helping communities reclaim land contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance since the Russian invasion.
The Urgent Need for Demining in Ukraine
Ukraine faces a growing landmine and unexploded ordnance crisis, with nearly 30% of its territory affected. The ongoing conflict has intensified these threats, rendering previously safe regions hazardous and inaccessible. According to the United Nations, these unexploded munitions and anti-personnel landmines endanger the lives of both the armed forces and civilians, restricts access to agricultural land, reduces productivity, and slows down infrastructure development—all critical for Ukraine’s recovery and growth.
As the need for urgent demining efforts rises, APOPO’s mission in Ukraine aims to meet this challenge using a unique blend of highly trained Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs aka HeroDOGs) and advanced survey techniques to locate explosives efficiently and safely, and eliminate their deadly threat.
APOPO’s Innovative Use of Technical Survey Dogs
Technical Survey Dogs play a pivotal role in APOPO’s demining approach in Ukraine. Specially trained to detect the scent of explosives in soil, rubble, or other objects, these dogs allow demining teams to assess large areas quickly and accurately. Unlike full clearance operations, Technical Surveys enable teams to pinpoint areas where explosive contamination is most likely to be found. This focused, data-driven approach not only enhances demining efficiency but also reduces the time and cost associated with restoring safe access to contaminated land.
APOPO’s TSDs undergo extensive training to identify explosive compounds reliably, signaling the presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance with remarkable accuracy.
Preparing Technical Survey Dogs for Life-Saving Work
APOPO has a strong history of training Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs), deploying them successfully in countries such as Azerbaijan, Cambodia, South Sudan and Türkiye. Each APOPO dog starts training early, learning to recognize the specific scents associated with explosives.
Their daily training includes practice in various environments, ensuring that they build the necessary skills for effective detection in high-stake situations.
The scent detection capabilities of these dogs, coupled with rigorous training, equip APOPO’s Ukraine team with the skills required to navigate the complex demining landscape safely. Dog-handler teams work seamlessly, with dogs identifying potential hazards and handlers confirming their signals, ensuring that each task is carried out safely and accurately.
APOPO’s Partnership with MAG and International Support
APOPO’s work in Ukraine is made possible by support from various international organizations and government bodies, including the Government of Flanders, the European Commission, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian Government.
These partnerships have been instrumental in supporting APOPO’s expansion into Ukraine, providing the financial resources, expertise, and guidance needed to recruit, train, and equip specialized dog-handler teams for the challenging task of detecting and removing anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine.
The partnership with MAG further enhances APOPO’s impact, as MAG’s extensive experience in humanitarian demining brings invaluable local knowledge and operational expertise. Together, APOPO and MAG form a highly effective team, dedicated to returning Ukraine’s contaminated land to productive use safely and efficiently.
The Importance of Certification and Its Impact on APOPO’s Mission
Receiving official certification for Technical Survey and Mine Detection Dog operations from NMAC Chernihiv is an important accomplishment for APOPO Ukraine. APOPO’s teams have undergone months of intense preparation to meet the stringent standards required for safe demining operations. With certified teams now on the ground, APOPO and MAG are well-positioned to make a meaningful difference in Ukraine’s recovery efforts.
Long Standing Expertise and Innovation in Landmine Detection
APOPO’s demining efforts in Ukraine build on over two decades of experience in the field of humanitarian demining. From working in diverse environments across Africa and Asia, APOPO has honed its demining capabilities through continuous innovation and dedication to safety.
Our unique combination of skilled personnel, cutting-edge techniques, and advanced detection dogs ensures that APOPO is well-equipped to address the complex challenges posed by landmines, cluster munitions and other unexploded ordnance in Ukraine.
As APOPO embarks on this new chapter in Ukraine, the certification of APOPO’s Ukraine Technical Dogs is more than just a recognition of technical skill—it symbolizes hope for the future, as APOPO and MAG work to rebuild and revitalize Ukraine, one safe step at a time.
APOPO Mine Action Ukraine remains most grateful to its donors and partners who are instrumental to the success of our program.
FAQs
How does APOPO train its landmine detection dogs? APOPO trains its dogs from a young age to recognize specific explosive scents. They undergo rigorous training in simulated environments, allowing them to build the skills necessary to identify explosives accurately and signal their handlers reliably.
What is the role of Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) in demining? Technical Survey Dogs are trained to detect the scent of explosives, enabling teams to assess large areas for potential threats. Their work focuses demining efforts on the highest-risk areas, increasing the efficiency and speed of demining operations.
Why is there an urgent need for demining in Ukraine? Ukraine faces one of the world’s largest landmine and unexploded ordnance crises. Mines and explosive remnants pose serious risks to civilians, agriculture, and infrastructure, creating an urgent need for demining efforts to ensure safe access to vital land.
What does APOPO’s certification from NMAC Chernihiv mean? The certification allows APOPO to conduct official Technical Survey and Mine Detection Dog operations in Ukraine. It reflects months of preparation and qualifies APOPO’s teams to work safely and effectively in Ukraine’s challenging demining environment.
How does MAG contribute to APOPO’s mission in Ukraine? MAG brings invaluable experience in humanitarian demining to APOPO’s efforts in Ukraine. MAG supports APOPO’s TSD operations with manual demining and medical capacities. Together, we form a highly effective team dedicated to restoring safe access to contaminated land.
What makes APOPO’s approach to demining in Ukraine unique? APOPO uses highly trained Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs), which allows them to locate explosives efficiently and safely. This approach, combined with APOPO’s expertise and partnerships, enables APOPO to carry out large-scale demining operations in a timely and cost-effective manner.
