Mine action of the future: the ambitious goal of the Ukrainian project Life Robots Ukraine

More than 120,000 square kilometers is the estimated area of mined territory in Ukraine as of today. This is more than the total area of many European countries. According to various sources, this figure used to be 174,000, and some of it has been cleared. However, experts estimate that at the current pace, the process could take decades.

Mining makes it impossible to use agricultural land, endangers civilian and military lives, affects the environment and economy, and significantly complicates the liberation of the occupied territories. Mine clearance is difficult, slow, and extremely expensive. But there are initiatives in Ukraine that are looking for new, more effective solutions. One of them is the Life Robots Ukraine project.

Mine clearance with the help of robots

Life Robots Ukraine is a public initiative that procures demining and logistics robots for the needs of the Ukrainian military. The idea of the project was born in response to a change in the tactics of the Russian army: the use of drones to cut logistics routes, which poses a real threat to the units' encirclement.

The author of the project, Valentyna Malko, says: "One day I heard on the radio that Russia had used a new strategy against Ukrainian brigades, using swarms of drones to cut roads and destroy logistics. I realized that this strategy is dangerous and will be used again.

I saw these roads myself in the war zone - bare, open, with no shelter for kilometers around. Then I remembered about demining drones, which can also be used in logistics. I wrote to the manufacturer of such robots. It turned out that logistics and demining require different models, although they are based on the same platform. One robot cannot perform both functions at the same time, but you can quickly re-equip it or have two machines.

So I decided that we would do both - logistics and demining. It was an impulsive but conscious decision. And we are really doing our best."

Logistics robot Targan. Photo: Life Robots Ukraine

The project focuses on two types of robots: the first to deliver goods to the war zone, and the second to safely disarm mines. One of the most affordable Ukrainian robots is capable of destroying mines mechanically, using special chains that create pressure on the ground. The explosions do not disable the machine, and the operator is kept at a safe distance.

The team adheres to one principle: not to buy "what we like". Only what the crews request. This is the most effective way to help.

People behind the project: how the team is formed

Valentyna is a volunteer with over a decade of experience in charitable and social projects. The idea of demining arose at the intersection of volunteering, working on the front line, personal experience of collecting aid for the army, and understanding of technological potential.

Initially, the team consisted of a few enthusiasts. However, it quickly became clear that the project was a long-term one, and volunteer efforts were not enough. Valentyna says: "My experience tells me that in the long run, people can't stand it without payment. They are most concerned about the future, in particular, travel expenses. We focus not only on Ukraine but also on 15 other countries. To work with audiences in Europe, Israel, and Korea, you need to be there physically - to hold meetings and participate in conferences. This requires resources, so we are considering the idea of creating small local teams in different countries.

Photo: Valentina Malko, Facebook

We are open to cooperation with businesses both in Ukraine and abroad. We have a presentation with different participation formats. For example, you can buy a robot with the company's brand. Or you can give a girl a robot with her name on it that will liberate Ukrainian land, which is both romantic and symbolic.

We are also looking for ambassadors, both Ukrainians abroad and locals in different countries, who can represent the project. It doesn't matter what a person does - even if they are ready to just send letters, call foundations, or be the voice of the project in their community - there is a role for everyone. We have created a flexible format where everyone can find their place."

Project goals and challenges

The goals of the Life Robots Ukraine project are defined. First, it is financial stability. The authors of the project want to collect subscriptions for $1 million per month. As a result, this will raise $12 million a year, which is the main source for equipment purchases. They also plan to purchase 500 demining robots. Perhaps some of them will be logistical, but the main focus is on robots that directly clear the ground. These are volunteer initiatives that are able to respond quickly to the needs of the brigades without long procedures, tenders and bureaucracy. If 500 robots work for eight years, they can clear up to 12 thousand square kilometers of land. This is almost 10% of all mined areas.

The Zmiy demining robot. Photo: Life Robots Ukraine

A big challenge for the project is working on social media. According to Valentyna,"Facebook blocks posts with the words 'drone,' 'mine,' and 'demining. That's why I use the term 'logistics work' - although we're talking about something else, it somehow passes the algorithms. Mark Zuckerberg wants the movie to be "fun and enjoyable," but we write about war, pain, and death. And you have to get out of the way, figure out how to talk about the terrible in the language that the algorithm allows. This is also exhausting.

I sometimes think: "Maybe I'm crazy for taking on this?" But then I remember that we live in a world where sometimes completely inadequate people have power. And if they make crazy decisions, then someone has to make equally decisive ones-but on the side of kindness, common sense, and humanity.

My dream is for hundreds of thousands of people to unite around this project. And then we will not only be able to clear thousands of square kilometers, but also make the practice of total mining meaningless. I like this peaceful response: no swearing, no loud words, just effective action.

This project is already my personal story. I have always wanted to prove that if you have an idea and it is good, it will find like-minded people. Don't be afraid to be small. If you are sure you are doing the right thing, do it. And the world will help you."

Сергій Лозовський