EU Boosts Ukraine’s Mine-Clearing Operations with Huge Investment
The European Union and its partners have invested €400 million in demining Ukraine.
The Gaze reports on it, referring to Ukrinform.
According to Petr Wagner, head of the European Commission's External Action Service, the funds are intended to clear the territories of explosive objects, some of which have remained since the beginning of the war.
Mykolaiv region is in priority due to the large number of mined areas, and demining work is being actively carried out with the support of the EU and international partners.
“Mykolaiv region ranks first in terms of the number of projects implemented in Ukraine with EU support,” emphasized EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova.
The second area of assistance is related to the approach of winter: ensuring electricity and access to clean water. Fifteen water purification stations have already been installed in communities in Mykolaiv region, and solar panels allow them to continue operating even during power outages.
According to Mathernova, the European Union is Ukraine's largest partner. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, it has allocated more than €180 billion for humanitarian, military, and recovery needs.
Mykolaiv is an important city in southern Ukraine, located on the Black Sea coast. It is the administrative center of the Mykolaiv region and a major industrial and transport hub of the country, particularly known for its shipbuilding industry and ports.
During the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Mykolaiv was effectively a frontline city, regularly subjected to artillery shelling and air strikes. Russian troops withdrew from the city at the end of 2022, but drones and missiles remain a daily threat to local communities.
Mykolaiv has consistently received support from European partners, with Denmark making a particularly significant contribution to the region.
Earlier, Denmark planed to allocate more than €225 million directly to Mykolaiv, focusing on restoring infrastructure, schools, kindergartens, healthcare facilities, and energy and water systems. The program also was aimed to support vocational education, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises, and mine action.
In addition, the country has provided essential equipment worth over ₴6 million to strengthen the frontline police in Mykolaiv. The package included a modern situation center, portable power banks, IT and office equipment, and backup power systems for eight police stations, ensuring continuous operations during blackouts and emergencies.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Qatari logistics operator QTerminals and its Ukrainian subsidiary, QTerminals Olvia, paving the way for the resumption of operations at the strategically important Olvia seaport in the Mykolaiv region.
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