Kherson Region Sees Drop in Farmer Injuries After Occupation Recovery

Since the de-occupation of the Kherson region on November 11, 2022, 53 farmers have been injured while working in the fields. Of these, 13 died and 40 were injured of varying severity.

These data were announced by Dmytro Yunusov, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Irrigation Development of the Kherson Regional Military Administration.

He noted that in recent months, from November 2024 to the present day, 6 more people have been injured. Cases of injuries continue to be recorded, but there have been no fatalities in the last six months.

According to the official, the situation with civilian explosions has improved compared to last year due to active outreach and the involvement of sappers. More cautious people and more efficient services have been the main factors in reducing the number of tragedies.

The most dangerous areas remain fields and forest belts, where a large number of explosive items are concentrated. However, the problem of self-detonation, which farmers sometimes resort to, is still a serious one. This is extremely dangerous and has already led to several tragedies.

Yunusov emphasized that law enforcement officers respond to cases of unauthorized demining and open criminal proceedings. He emphasized that only qualified specialists should be involved in demining, as it is not only a threat to life but also a violation of the law.

Currently, de-mining works are underway in Kherson region, and farmers can apply to the relevant services for assistance in safely clearing their land of mines.

Earlier, the Future Forces Forum 2024 was held in the Czech Republic. Among the topics was the experience of demining Kherson region.

Meanwhile, it will take Ukraine up to five years to clear hundreds of sea mines in the waters of Mykolaiv and Kherson. For large-scale demining, Ukraine is counting on the support of partners in the Black Sea region, such as Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia. These countries already face a mine threat, as mines sometimes reach their shores. Work is now underway to train specialists and check co-authors.

Ірина Глухова