In December 2025, Ukrainian dog handlers travelled to Cambodia for intensive Ukraine mine action training hosted by APOPO.
Although participants from Ukraine are training as Mine Detection Dog handlers, the winter program begins with foundational competencies in safeguarding, first aid and manual demining before progressing to advanced animal detection systems instruction. Held in Siem Reap from 2 to 23 December, this phase establishes the professional and technical baseline required for safe, standards-compliant deployment.
The December training formed the first stage of a broader winter capacity-building program running from December 2025 through to 27 March 2026.
Safeguarding as a Professional Standard
The winter program began with safeguarding sessions on 2 and 3 December. Safeguarding in mine action underpins operational conduct, accountability and the prevention of harm to staff and affected communities. Dog handlers working in mine-affected environments operate in close proximity to both local populations and hazardous areas. Clear reporting mechanisms, professional boundaries and adherence to codes of conduct are essential to maintaining trust and safety.
Starting Ukraine mine action training with safeguarding ensures that technical instruction is grounded in responsibility and ethical practice from the outset.
First Aid and Minefield Safety
On the afternoon of 3 December, participants completed a first aid course tailored specifically to mine action operations.
The training covered:
- Core first aid practices
- Composition and management of first aid kits
- Medical case reporting requirements
- Recognition of common illnesses
- Biosafety procedures
- Safety considerations in minefields
- Differentiating urgency from emergency
- Practical wound cleaning and bandaging exercises
For dog handlers, medical preparedness extends beyond personal safety. Teams must be capable of responding effectively to incidents in remote, hazardous locations where immediate external support may not be available.
Basic Manual Demining Training
From 4 to 23 December, participants undertook basic manual demining training in Siem Reap.
While their primary operational role will involve Mine Detection Dogs and Technical Survey Dogs, handlers must understand the technical environment in which they work. The curriculum introduced the characteristics of landmine warfare and the environmental factors that influence minefield conditions.
Participants studied anti-personnel mine recognition, anti-tank and anti-vehicle mine recognition, IED and booby trap awareness, basic fuze and component recognition, mine clearance team equipment, and minefield marking and site layout.
Field drills formed a central component of the course. Trainees practiced hand clearance drills, excavation drills, tripwire detection drills, vegetation clearance drills, base stick drills, electronic detection procedures, and mine detector drills using the Minelab F3, a professional mine metal detector used in military and humanitarian demining.
This practical component of Ukraine mine action training reinforces an understanding of manual clearance procedures, enabling dog handlers to operate safely alongside mechanical and manual demining teams.
Partnership and Support
The December training for Ukrainian dog handlers was supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
Additional support was provided through funding from the Howard G Buffet Foundation (HGBF), a private donor supporting mine action activities in Ukraine, in partnership with Mines Advisory Group (MAG). MAG is APOPO’s operational partner in Ukraine, working on frontline land release and clearance activities. Through this partnership, trained dog handlers will integrate into coordinated national mine action operations.
The course was conducted alongside trainees from Azerbaijan under separate funding arrangements, though the focus of this program is strengthening Ukrainian operational capacity.
Continuing the Winter Training Program
Ukraine remains one of the most mine-affected countries globally. Developing skilled dog handlers requires structured progression from foundational safety and technical awareness to advanced operational competencies.
The December phase established the baseline of the Ukraine mine action training program. Subsequent components include formal Mine Detection Dog handler certification and animal detection systems management instruction, with the full winter training cycle scheduled to conclude on 27 March 2026.
By structuring the program in stages, APOPO supports the development of qualified Ukrainian dog handlers prepared to integrate safely and effectively into national mine action operations.
APOPO extends its sincere appreciation to our partners and donors for their continued support.
