DEMINETEC in Kyiv

DEMINETEC operates in Kyiv

DEMINETEC, a French company headquartered in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), delivers civilian demining (pyrotechnic clearance) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management services to public and private clients in Kyiv, Ukraine. We cover the full chain from historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT) to ordnance neutralisation and disposal, in line with French Decree 2005-1325 and international best practice.

Pyrotechnic historical context of Kyiv

Kyiv is currently one of the most explosively contaminated cities in Europe. Since 24 February 2022, the capital and its suburbs — Bucha, Irpin, Hostomel, Borodianka, Makariv — have been targets of Russian missile, artillery, mortar and drone strikes, as well as ground combat zones with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine (DSNS), Ukrainian Armed Forces EOD units and international partners (HALO Trust, MAG, FSD, Norwegian People's Aid) neutralise hundreds of items every day, including 9N210/9N235 cluster submunitions, FAB-500 air bombs, Kalibr and Iskander missile remnants, Shahed drone warheads and abandoned TM-62, POM-2 and PFM-1 mines.

Major reconstruction projects across Kyiv oblast — housing, infrastructure, power grid, Boryspil and Hostomel airports, logistics terminals — require integrated pyrotechnic risk management: historical desk study (EHT), magnetometric geophysics, non-technical and technical survey against IMAS standards and the French Decree 2005-1325, which serves as a civilian clearance benchmark.

Our services in Kyiv

Historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT)

Document research in national and foreign archives to qualify pyrotechnic risk on a site (bombings, combat, depots, ranges).

Pyrotechnic safety study (ESP)

Residual risk assessment, definition of effect zones, safety perimeters and collective protective measures.

Magnetometric geophysical survey

On-site detection of ferromagnetic anomalies, surface or deep, onshore or underwater.

UXO clearance

Extraction, identification and neutralisation / disposal of munitions by our NEDEX / EOD-qualified operators.

Underwater expertise

Survey and clearance in ports, rivers and offshore environments, in partnership with our group company SEMTEC.

Why choose DEMINETEC for Kyiv?

French licensed company, ISO 9001 and MASE certified, compliant with French Decree 2005-1325.
Teams of former French Navy and Army EOD operators (NEDEX / EOD qualifications).
Over 30 years of accumulated experience in France and on international projects.
Onshore and underwater intervention capacity through the DEMINETEC group (SEMTEC, GEODE, DEMINETEC ECG).
Quick response: quote within 48 hours, rapid mobilisation in France and abroad.

War history and explosive contamination in Kyiv

Ukraine has experienced mine contamination since the War in Donbas began in 2014. On 20 February 2014, Russian government forces invaded and annexed the Crimean peninsula, formally annexing it in March. Fighting began in eastern Ukraine in April 2014 between Russian-backed separatist forces and Ukrainian government forces. Landmines were reportedly used during this period, although their use was relatively sporadic until the full-scale Russian invasion. On 24 February 2022, Russia initiated the ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, during which both anti-personnel and anti-vehicle mines have been utilized.

Russian forces have allegedly booby-trapped strategic positions from which they retreated, using landmines and other unexploded ordnance. These actions have caused civilian casualties. Ukrainian forces allegedly used a rocket-delivered anti-personnel mine in summer 2022, in violation of the Ottawa Treaty. In January 2025, approximately 133,300 square kilometres, or about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, remained potentially contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war, including temporarily occupied territories. As of May 2026, approximately 132,000 square kilometres of Ukrainian territory were estimated to be contaminated by landmines. In agricultural areas, unexploded ordnance has affected farming operations, with farmers using visual identification, armoured tractors and remotely operated tractors.

Areas and structures concerned

Crimean peninsula
Eastern Ukraine
Strategic positions
Agricultural areas
Kherson
Temporarily occupied territories

Expected ordnance and implications for survey

Reported ordnance includes anti-personnel mines such as MOB, MON-50, MON-90, MON-100, MON-200, OZM-72, PFM-1/PFM-1S, PMN-2, PMN-4, POM-2/POM-2R and POM-3. Anti-vehicle mines include TM-62M and PTM1-G, while PDM-1 is an anti-landing mine. Initiation systems include pressure, tripwire, command, self-destruct, seismic and tilt-rod mechanisms. A rocket-delivered anti-personnel mine was allegedly used in summer 2022. Unexploded shells and other explosive remnants of war have also affected agricultural areas and strategic positions.

FAQ: explosive risk in Kyiv

How extensive is the documented explosive contamination in Ukraine?

In January 2025, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported approximately 133,300 square kilometres, about 20% of Ukraine’s territory, as potentially contaminated by mines and explosive remnants of war, including temporarily occupied territories. As of May 2026, approximately 132,000 square kilometres were estimated to be contaminated by landmines.

Which types of mines may require consideration during explosive ordnance clearance?

Reported mines include anti-personnel fragmentation and blast mines, anti-vehicle blast mines, and an anti-landing blast mine. Their initiation methods include pressure, tripwire, command, self-destruct, seismic and tilt-rod systems. The listed designations include MON, OZM, PFM, PMN, POM, TM-62M, PTM1-G and PDM-1.

Why does unexploded ordnance create a continuing risk in agricultural areas?

Mines and other unexploded ordnance have proliferated in agricultural areas and caused more than $6.6 billion in damage to Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Ukrainian officials estimated that, as of March 2023, up to one-third of arable land in areas of hostility, approximately 10 million hectares, was mined. In Kherson, farmers used visual identification and armoured or remotely operated tractors.

Reference : Wikipédia — Landmines in Ukraine

Territorial coverage

DEMINETEC operates in Kyiv and across Ukraine from our French head office (285 avenue Marcel Paul, 83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, France). We mobilise teams and technical assets to fit each mission: documentary studies, short field surveys, or long-duration clearance operations.

Frequently asked questions about UXO clearance in Kyiv

Which munitions are typically found?

In Kyiv and across Ukraine, the most frequently recovered items include artillery shells, hand grenades, landmines, aerial bombs and — in coastal areas — naval mines. Exact typology depends on the site history and is the focus of the prior historical desk study (EHT).

Does French Decree 2005-1325 apply abroad?

French Decree 2005-1325 governs civilian pyrotechnic clearance on French soil. Internationally, DEMINETEC uses it as a best-practice benchmark alongside IMAS (International Mine Action Standards) and the contractual requirements specific to Ukraine.

How long does a mission in Kyiv typically last?

Duration varies with surface area, investigation depth and anomaly density. An EHT desk study takes 2-6 weeks, a magnetometric survey from a few days to several months, and active clearance from a few weeks up to multiple years for major projects.

Do you operate underwater?

Yes. Through our subsidiary SEMTEC and the DEMINETEC group, we provide commercial diving, underwater magnetometry and submerged-ordnance neutralisation for ports, rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

Contact DEMINETEC for Kyiv

For any historical study, diagnostic or pyrotechnic clearance request, contact our teams:

DEMINETEC SAS
285 avenue Marcel Paul
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@deminetec.com