Bern, 29.08.2023 – The DDPS is providing the State Emergency Service of Ukraine (SESU) with a remote-controlled demining machine to safely and efficiently clear areas that have been contaminated with mines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war since the outbreak of the conflict. The machine was presented to the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) by the Swiss DIGGER Foundation on 29 August and is now ready for delivery to Ukraine by the Van for Life Foundation.
The number of areas in Ukraine contaminated with mines, cluster munitions and explosive remnants of war has increased considerably since the beginning of the conflict. In order to clear them safely and efficiently, Ukraine urgently requires specialised equipment for humanitarian demining. This includes, in particular, mechanical clearance equipment.
Mine clearance machine presented to the DDPS
The mine clearance machine was presented to the DDPS today by the Swiss DIGGER Foundation and is now ready for delivery to Ukraine. The demining machine, which includes a spare parts package, will be transported to Ukraine by truck in September by the Van for Life Foundation.
The entire aid package amounts to CHF 1.2 million. It includes a caterpillar vehicle that can destroy or detonate anti-personnel mines, a truck trailer and a spare parts package for three years. In addition, the Ukrainian authorities will be trained on site by experts from the DIGGER Foundation. Switzerland’s contribution is aimed at making humanitarian demining in Ukraine safer and more effective.