Slovenia to provide demining assistance to Ukraine

5 December, 2023 Images on demining. Photo credits: Interregional Center for Humanitarian Demining The Government of Slovenia will provide Ukraine with EUR1.5 million for humanitarian demining.

The agreement on this was signed on December 4, 2023, in Ljubljana, the press service of the Ministry of Economics reports. Under the terms of the agreement, the funds will be provided this year on a non-refundable basis. The funds will help supply the sappers of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine and the State Transport Special Service with the necessary personal protective gear, equipment, and mine-clearing vehicles.

They will also help accelerate the clearance of explosive ordnance from the territory of Ukraine and save the lives and health of many Ukrainians, the statement said.

Illustrative image of the demining process. Photo from open sources

It is emphasized that currently, Ukraine is the most mined country in the world.

Illustrative image of the demining process. Photo from open sources

Almost one-third of the country's territory, about 174,000 square kilometers, is considered potentially dangerous.

The Ukrainian government aims to return 80% of these territories to economic use within 10 years. Slovenia has repeatedly transferred military aid packages to Ukraine. Last October, Slovenia shipped previously announced M-55S tanks to Ukraine by rail.

It was the second significant batch of Slovenian military support for Ukraine.

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M-55S tanks of the Ukrainian military. December 2022, Ukraine.

Photo credits: Valeriy Markus

Before that, in July 2022, Slovenia transferred 35 M-80A IFVs to Ukraine.

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M-80A infantry fighting vehicle of the Ukrainian military. August 2022, Ukraine. Photo credits: 24th Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The country also joined the EU training mission for Ukraine's military.

Last year, the Slovenian government decided to deploy up to 30 of its representatives to the EUMAM training mission for the Ukrainian military with the possibility of rotation.