April 4 is International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The United Nations established this day in 2005 to draw attention to the dangers posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war, and to highlight the importance of public awareness campaigns.
For Ukraine, this is not just a symbolic date, but a daily reality. According to the National Mine Action Platform, 132,086 km² of territory are potentially contaminated with explosive ordnance. According to the National Mine Action Authority, since the start of the full-scale war, 1,436 civilians have been affected by mines and explosive remnants of war, 407 of whom have died. That is why raising awareness about the risks and rules of safe behavior remains a critically important task.
For the Ukrainian Deminers Association, this day is one of the most important of the year. In 2026, we focused on practical ways of engaging with our audience so that knowledge is not just conveyed but truly absorbed.
Interactive Quest: “The Unconquered: Mission – A Safe Country”
On April 4, an interactive quest titled “The Unconquered: Mission—A Safe Country” took place in Kyiv and Mykolaiv to celebrate International Mine Awareness Day. The event was organized by the Ukrainian Deminers Association with support from Save the Children in Ukraine and funding from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. About 700 participants, adults and children took part in the quest.
Participants moved through several stations featuring practical and logic-based tasks, interacted with instructors, and practiced safety protocols. They learned to identify mock-ups of explosive devices, assess risks, and respond to potentially dangerous situations. This format allows participants not only to acquire information but also to reinforce it through practical experience.
The song “Being a Sapper”
Prior to this date, the UDA released the song “Being a Sapper, created to promote the profession and raise awareness of the role of mine action.
Being a sapper is not just about the profession. It is about the daily responsibility for the safety of others and the systematic work that restores life to liberated territories.
Expert appearances in the media
Tymur Pistruha, Head of the UDA, joined the awareness campaign and gave interviews to Ukrainian Radio and Apostrophe TV, where he spoke about current challenges in the field of mine action, approaches to demining, and the importance of public education.
International Mine Awareness Day serves as a reminder of the scale of the challenge and, at the same time, of the tools that help address it. Public awareness, practical skills, and systematic communication remain key elements in saving lives and restoring safety to de-occupied territories.
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