At the beginning of April, to commemorate International Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action Day, we gathered representatives from government, international business, civil society, the media, and demining experts to once again highlight the urgent need for public–private partnerships, localisation, and innovation to accelerate the pace of humanitarian demining.
Ukraine is currently the most heavily mined country in the world. Around 139,000 km² of land requires clearance — a burden that costs the Ukrainian economy $11.2 billion each year and endangers the lives of millions. To date, only 20,000 km² has been cleared. But at GCS we have the tools — and the will — to change that.
The launch of the first GCS Ukraine service centre will significantly reduce the repair time for machinery by several weeks, which is crucial for speeding up demining operations.
Welcoming our guests, Dmytro Salimonov, General Manager of GCS Ukraine, said: "The key to speeding things up is collaboration: government, international partners, businesses, and technical operators must work as one, united system. In October 2024, GCS Ukraine and the Ministry of Economy signed a memorandum of cooperation on humanitarian demining. And just six months on, we’re launching our service centre — the first step in our localisation journey, with much more to come.”
Ihor Bezkaravainyi, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine then addressed the gathered audience: "The machinery used by demining operators must return to the field swiftly after breakdowns or explosions. The opening of the GCS service centre will help make that possible. It also brings new jobs and tax contributions to Ukraine. Whether it’s local manufacturers showcasing domestic solutions or major international firms establishing service facilities — that’s a win for everyone. There will always be work to do, and everyone can find their role in the task of clearing our land."
Another important topic raised during the event was the rental of demining equipment — a new opportunity introduced at the start of 2025. GCS is the first foreign humanitarian demining operator in Ukraine to offer a rental model for specialised machinery to clear mines and other explosive remnants of war. This approach ensures maximum efficiency — equipment is kept in use where it’s needed most.
Guests joined a technical tour of the new facility, where they had the opportunity to see the GCS-200 demining machine in action and hear a detailed technical overview from leading international expert Lourie Venter. The day also included an educational workshop by the GCS Provincial Explosive Awareness Reporting (PEAR) team, focusing on raising public awareness of the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance.
The event was captured by several Ukrainian broadcasters, including Inter TV, which shows how robotic demining systems like the GCS-200 are helping clear land faster and more safely — protecting lives, supporting farming, and paving the way for investment.
The future of mine action in Ukraine is not only about saving lives — it’s about building long-term resilience and economic opportunity.
Watch the story here and see how innovation is changing the face of humanitarian demining.