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 funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. About 700 participants—adults and children—took part in the quest.
The quest consisted of several stations where participants completed logic and practical tasks, interacted with instructors, and tested their observation skills and reaction times. In particular, they searched for mock-ups of explosive devices, learned how to identify them, and practiced safety protocols. The children were also able to try on pieces of bomb disposal equipment to imagine themselves in that role. This format allowed them not just to hear the rules, but to put them into practice.
Such educational events are of critical importance in a context where the threat of landmines is part of everyday life. Ukraine is the most heavily mined country in the world. 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 ordnance, of whom 407 have died.
“Today, the danger of landmines is not an abstract threat, but a daily reality for millions of people in Ukraine. We can see that the quest format works. People get involved, remember the rules better, and start taking their own safety more seriously. Our goal is to make this knowledge as accessible and understandable as possible for everyone,” said Tymur Pistruha, head of the Ukrainian Deminers Association.
The “Unconquered: Mission – A Safe Country” quest is being held for the second time. The format combines learning with play, helping participants better understand safety rules and develop a responsible attitude toward risks.
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