Ukrainian Deminers Association (UDA) initiated the creation of nine murals in five regions of Ukraine to draw attention to the mine danger.
Ukraine is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world. More than 139 thousand square kilometers of the territory are potentially contaminated with explosive ordnance. Both adults and children can face this danger every day. The problem is that it is not always immediately visible – especially in seemingly peaceful places.
To draw attention to the danger of mines, UDA together with artists, creates murals in different regions. One of them is on the wall of a youth center in Kharkiv region. A girl leans towards the hollyhocks and inhales their fragrance.
The flowers are blooming lushly – and next to them, right out of the ground, there are unexploded ammunition, mines, and shells. Some people pass by without stopping. Others peer in, notice the details, scan the QR code. This is how they learn that this is not just street art, but a way to remind them of mine safety.
What are EORE murals and why they are created
EORE murals are a combination of art and education. EORE (Explosive Ordnance Risk Education) is an international term that means informing about the risks associated with explosive ordnance. Each mural has a QR code that leads to the UDA website. It contains key information: what explosive devices look like, how to recognize warning signs, what to do when a mine or shell is found, and how to act safely.
The purpose of the murals is to draw attention to mine risks that can be very close by: in a field, near a house, on a playground. Instead of shocking, they seek to explain how to act in dangerous situations. Symbolic images – flowers, children, peaceful life – help to perceive important information in an accessible and calm manner, without causing fear, but reminding us of the danger that can be everywhere.
The project was initiated by the UDA. With the participation of artists, nine murals have already been created in Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zhytomyr, and Kyiv regions. Seven more are planned for 2025.
“According to the National Mine Action Authority, 1201 civilians have been injured by mines and explosive ordnance over the three years of war, 341 of them have been killed. At UDA, we strive to teach mine safety to every Ukrainian – we conduct live and online trainings when we cannot reach people physically. But it’s difficult to reach everyone, so murals are another way to convey knowledge and save lives. They don’t scare, they educate. This is an investment in safety for years to come,” says Svitlana Nemtsova, project manager of the UDA.
the creative approach to creating murals
Each mural is the result of the joint work of the UDA team, artists, local partners and building owners. From idea to realization is a process that requires attention, respect for space and understanding of the audience.
“It was a challenge for us to combine an interesting educational idea and at the same time make the mural aesthetically pleasing and attractive to people,” says artist Oleksii
Postulga. “We decided to combine Ukrainian floral elements with modern graphics and symbols. The work turned out to be of interest to both the audience and myself – it was fun to work with,” he adds.
Murals often depict flowers next to explosive objects. This is a metaphor for the Ukrainian land – beautiful but potentially dangerous.
“We tried to depict Ukraine as a blooming garden where a whole flower field grows from a single seed. But because of the war, the land is filled with other seeds – harmful and dangerous, these are explosive ordnance. The concept was to intertwine plants and explosive objects, emphasizing the idea that a threat can be hidden among familiar and beautiful things,” explains Oleksii.
In addition to their informative function, the murals also have an emotional impact. “We want these works to carry not only a warning message, but also calmness, confidence, and hope. It’s like in nature: no matter how cold the days are, spring always comes after them and flowers bloom,” says the artist.
Effectiveness of murals: results and feedback
The project is already yielding tangible results. Since September 2022, more than 130,000 people have visited the UDA website. But the real reach is much greater: thousands of people see the murals every day. “We choose crowded places for the murals. Even in small towns, it’s a real miracle – people come, take pictures, and post them online. This attracts even more attention,” says Svitlana Nemtsova.
Ukrainians like this kind of creativity, as evidenced by the many positive comments on the UDA Facebook page.
“After the murals are completed, we receive requests from representatives of other schools and institutions who want to create something similar in their cities,” Svitlana adds.
Svitlana speaks briefly but sincerely about her motivation: “I have always been a creative person, I like art. So I am very happy when something not only useful but also beautiful is created. The information on the mural can save lives. And when people send me photos of children scanning QR codes, it’s very nice. For me, these two components are important – beauty and benefit.”
Art that teaches – this is how these murals can be described. They combine aesthetics with meaning, emotion with benefit. And this is their power: to remind us of the hidden danger every day and at the same time convey knowledge that can save lives.
When creativity becomes a learning tool, it ceases to be just a space decoration. It influences, changes, and forms an informed society. Art + education is a formula that cannot be underestimated. Especially during the war.
Artists who worked on the murals: Oleksii Postulga, Denys Stadnyk.
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