The HALO Trust regrets that the course of the war requires defensive measures of this kind and recognises Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The United States is not a signatory of Mine Ban Treaty but has been an active and effective supporter of efforts to remove landmines from the ground around the world.
Ukraine has been reclassified this month as “massively contaminated” with landmines, with some suggesting that up to 40 per cent of the country is contaminated. HALO estimates that over two million landmines have been laid by Russia in the country over the past 1,001 days since Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The HALO Trust has been working clearing mines in Ukraine for almost a decade and remains committed for the long term. We currently have a large and active programme there, clearing landmines away from the front line, in areas liberated by Ukraine. We do this with the full support of the Ukrainian government and will continue this essential work.
