Shostka, a city less than 50km from the Russian border, was blockaded early in the invasion and has endured ongoing shelling and drone strikes. Unexploded devices pose a persistent and invisible danger that will remain after active attacks cease. About a quarter of Ukraine's territory—an area larger than England—is contaminated with mines and explosive ordnance, making Ukraine one of the most heavily mined countries globally. In Sumy region, roads once trusted are unusable, parks and forests are dangerous, and agricultural fields must be abandoned. Shahed drones have been used to drop mines, creating delayed detonation risks. Deminers continue to locate and detonate found devices.
In the first months of the full-scale invasion it was blockaded, and ever since has faced constant shelling and drone strikes from the Russian army. But if and when the attacks stop, there will be an invisible danger that will linger for much longer: unexploded devices. Ukraine is now one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with about a quarter of its territory an area larger than England contaminated with explosives.
A Ukrainian specialist carefully detonates a landmine discovered near the banks of the Dnieper River in Kherson. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images A few days ago, there were 40 Shahed drones over us. They can drop mines now, so even if nothing explodes right away, there's always a chance something will go off later, says Shostka resident and explosives specialist Yelyzaveta Kyseliova, 21.
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