Ukraine Becomes World’s Most Mine-Contaminated Country, Cleanup Estimated at $28 Billion
Ukraine has surpassed all other nations in the world as the most heavily mined country, with approximately 23% of its territory contaminated with explosive hazards, according to estimates from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in July 2025. Some assessments suggest the actual figure could be as high as 30% or even 40%.
The Scale of the Problem
Aksel Steen-Nilsen, section leader for landmines at Norwegian People’s Aid, highlighted the extensive use of landmines by Russia in Ukraine, creating significant challenges for the civilian population. Ukraine’s own deployment of landmines has further compounded the issue. While a precise count of the number of mines laid is unavailable, the extent of contamination is considered massive.
The cleanup operation is projected to take decades. By comparison, Norwegian People’s Aid has spent 30 years clearing landmines in Bosnia, and the work remains unfinished. Steen-Nilsen emphasized that Ukraine’s situation is on a far larger scale.
The UNDP estimates the cost of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine will approach $28 billion (approximately 267 billion Norwegian kroner).1
Withdrawals from the UN Mine Convention
Several countries, including Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, chose to withdraw from the UN Mines Convention in the summer of 2025, citing the demand for enhanced preparedness against Russian threats. Steen-Nilsen strongly criticized these decisions, calling them “reprehensible.”
He argued that withdrawing from an international convention designed to protect civilians is unprecedented in the nearly 30-year history of the agreement. The convention, negotiated in 1997, aims to eliminate the humanitarian consequences of anti-personnel mines and prevent their use in conflict.
Despite the absence of major powers like the United States, Russia, and China from the agreement, the convention’s terms have become international norms followed by most countries, whether signatories or not.2
Impact and Consequences
Steen-Nilsen explained that the Mine Convention has significantly reduced the number of mine victims, facilitated the clearance of millions of mines and explosives, and enabled the safe restoration of land areas. It has also encouraged states to destroy vast stockpiles of mines.
Anti-personnel mines are described as “grotesque weapons” that indiscriminately harm civilians, remaining in the ground for decades after conflicts end. They have limited military utility, failing to stop armies or invasions and proving ineffective against modern warfare technologies like drones and precision artillery.3 Their use diverts scarce military resources to weapons that do not protect countries, win wars, or contribute to development.
UN Efforts in Ukraine
As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the UN Resident Coordinator is leading efforts to address the escalating humanitarian crisis and advance recovery and development initiatives.4 The UN is working to restore damaged energy facilities and rebuild healthcare infrastructure along the frontline.
Recognizing the long-term impacts of the war, particularly on mental health, the UN is also focusing on supporting vulnerable groups, including war veterans, who may return traumatized and contribute to increased tension and gender-based violence.
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