Japan boosts Ukraine’s demining efforts

Japan has so far supplied Ukraine with equipment and machinery for humanitarian demining worth over $60 million.

Ukraine's Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said this during a briefing, when asked about the scale of Japan’s support for the Ministry of Internal Affairs and for Ukraine overall in financial terms since the start of the war, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

“As of today, Japan has transferred to Ukraine equipment, machinery, and gear for humanitarian demining worth more than $60 million,” Klymenko said.

Answering a question about whether the equipment received from partners is already in use, the minister stated that not only is it operational – some of it has already been damaged by mine explosions and Russian shelling.

“The enemy attempted to destroy this equipment, and one demining machine was recently damaged. It is now undergoing repairs. Today, the State Emergency Service has gained the necessary expertise and trained engineering personnel who are capable of repairing this machinery,” the minister added.

He noted that this support includes not only demining machines but also metal detectors, vehicles for transporting explosive ordnance, handheld detectors, and other equipment.

Japan’s Ambassador to Ukraine Masashi Nakagome emphasized that Japan pays special attention to the field of demining.

“And it is precisely in this area that we work closely with representatives of Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Emergency Service. I am very proud that our equipment is already being used in the field,” the diplomat said.

As reported, as of October 27, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry agencies have cleared 2,600 km² of territory since the start of the full-scale invasion.