UKRAINE, KHARKIV OBLAST, Aug. 31 — The sappers completely cleared Hrakove village in the Chuhuiv district in eastern Kharkiv oblast. The village became the first settlement in Ukraine to be completely cleared of landmines, the Ministry of Economy and Environment of Ukraine said.

After Ukraine liberated Hrakove in September 2022, the settlement became the most mined village in Ukraine, Serhii Kotenko, head of the Chkalovske settlement military administration, told Gwara Media.

The Ministry added that 90% of the Hrakove land was polluted with explosive objects.

In total, the demining of 58 hectares took a little over half a year. During that time, the sappers removed about 200 mines and more than 600 other explosive objects.

Funds for the village’s demining efforts were raised through the UNITED24 platform as part of the Step by Step initiative.

The Kharkiv oblast remains the most heavily mined region in Ukraine. More than 40% of its territory is contaminated with explosive devices.

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