Underwater demining is becoming an increasingly important part of mine action in Ukraine. Explosive hazards may remain not only on land but also in rivers, lakes, reservoirs and coastal waters. A new training facility has therefore been opened to strengthen the professional capacity of SESU underwater demining specialists.
Training new and experienced specialists
The facility is located at SESU's underwater demining training centre on the banks of the Dnipro River.
It has been designed to support both initial training for future underwater deminers and advanced courses for experienced specialists from across Ukraine.
The complex can accommodate up to 20 trainees at a time. Participants can stay on site and combine classroom instruction with practical exercises conducted near specialised training grounds.
Practical training and underwater robotic systems
Underwater demining requires specialised skills because operations below the surface involve different risks and working conditions from land-based clearance.
Training areas located near the complex also support practical exercises and testing of underwater robotic systems.
France is sharing expertise with Ukraine in combining robotic technologies with specialist divers, alongside support for training, equipment and professional capacity development.
The scale of underwater contamination
According to figures cited by UNDP, more than 133,000 km² of Ukrainian territory remain potentially contaminated by explosive ordnance.
Within this area, approximately 13,500 km² of inland waterways, together with coastal areas of the Black and Azov seas, may contain explosive hazards.
This makes underwater demining an increasingly important component of Ukraine's broader mine action effort.
Why clearing waterways matters
Explosive hazards underwater pose risks not only to local communities.
Rivers and reservoirs are connected to:
- transport routes;
- hydrotechnical infrastructure;
- energy facilities;
- water infrastructure maintenance;
- local economic activity.
Safe access to these areas is essential both for protecting people and supporting Ukraine's recovery.
International support for specialist training
The new facility was built by UNDP in Ukraine with funding from the Government of France.
France's support for Ukraine's underwater demining sector also includes expertise, equipment and specialist training.
Such cooperation contributes not only equipment but also to the development of national skills, operational methodologies and professional standards.
Professional training as the foundation of safety
Underwater demining is a specialised field in which professional preparation, appropriate equipment and strict procedures are essential.
Investment in training infrastructure helps Ukraine systematically prepare new specialists while strengthening the capabilities of experienced teams.
PSM Ukraine Group supports the development of professional mine action capacity and the introduction of modern technologies that can improve the safety and effectiveness of operations.
