Ukrainian Ministry of Defense demining units are learning to search for explosive hazards with unmanned aircraft and magnetometers. The sensors measure changes in the Earth’s magnetic field and help identify concealed metal objects from the air before personnel enter a potentially dangerous area.
Training covers the complete operating cycle
The specialist course was conducted at the UTTC testing and training complex for mine-action technology, civil protection and environmental safety. Participants practiced deployment and maintenance of drones and sensors, operation of ground-control systems, mission planning, flight monitoring and piloting different aircraft.
Magnetometers reduce risk on the ground
A magnetometer survey can reveal anomalies linked to buried ammunition and other metallic objects. The resulting data helps specialists prioritize locations for closer inspection and reduces unnecessary movement through contaminated terrain. The technology supports, rather than replaces, established verification and clearance procedures.
Scale makes technology essential
Since February 2022, Defense Ministry units have surveyed and cleared 460,189 hectares of liberated territory. The remaining task requires trained operators, standardized data processing and equipment that can cover large areas efficiently.
For Ukraine’s mine-action sector, aerial sensing creates demand for specialized drones, robust navigation, geospatial software, sensor integration, maintenance and professional training. Better detection can accelerate the safe return of farmland, infrastructure and communities to productive use.
