Teams of Ukrainian women and their highly trained Technical Survey Dogs (TSDs) have begun operations in Mykolaiv, advancing efforts to clear land contaminated by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
The project – implemented by MAG and APOPO and jointly funded by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and the governments of the Netherlands and Spain through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – aims to speed up the release of safe land in recently liberated areas.
The dogs, provided by APOPO – an organisation specialising in the use of animals for the detection of landmines and explosive ordnance – were trained alongside their Ukrainian handlers in a five-month programme in Cambodia. The Belgian Malinois and Dutch Shepherds are carefully selected for their focus, agility, and ability to detect the scent of explosives.
Now, 16 Ukrainians – 13 women and three men – are working alongside 32 dogs, conducting technical survey operations to quickly and accurately identify contaminated land, complementing existing manual and mechanical clearance methods across Ukraine.
Among the newly deployed handlers are Karina and Daryna, both 24, who studied dog training at Sumy National Agrarian University.
“This is my chance to support people and give something back,” said Karina, originally from Lviv. “From the beginning, I found a strong connection and trust with my dog – that bond is vital when you’re working together in dangerous environments.”
Daryna, from the village of Prohres in Chernihiv region, had dreamed of working with dogs since school.
“I saw this as a chance not only to do what I love but also to serve my country,” she said. “Sometimes, when my dog finds something, I realise that we may have just saved someone’s life. That’s an incredible feeling.”
Each day in the field begins with dog walks and readiness tests, followed by briefings and deployment to the minefield. When a dog detects the scent of explosives, it signals the location by sitting. The handler then places a marker, and MAG’s demining teams return to confirm and excavate the item.
“We joke that our dogs are like our children,” said Daryna. “We work, play, rest, and train together – you get to know each other’s moods with a glance or a shift of the ears. That deep connection keeps us safe and effective in the field.”
Karina echoed the sentiment, adding, “Some days we ‘argue’ like any team – but it never breaks our friendship. Our bond is getting stronger every day in the field.”
Technical Survey Dogs are one of several specialised tools used in land release operations. A single dog can cover up to 1,500 square metres per day, far exceeding the 20-50 square metres typically covered by a manual deminer with a metal detector. Trained to detect the scent of explosives rather than metal, dogs are particularly effective in areas with high metal contamination or dense vegetation. Their use is carefully targeted to contexts where they offer the greatest operational advantage.
The timing of the deployment in Mykolaiv has been ideal. “The weather is generally perfect right now – fresh air, not too cold or too hot,” Karina said. “The dogs stay energetic for longer.”
In their first few weeks, the teams have already identified multiple areas showing signs of contamination, which MAG experts are now confirming. Daryna noted that their dogs have indicated both unexploded ordnance and explosive fragments.
Despite the dangerous nature of the work, both handlers are proud of what they’re doing – and the impact they’re having on Ukraine’s recovery.
“My mum’s not thrilled about the risks,” Karina admitted. “But I know we’re doing something important. One day, there will be green fields here again, with crops and animals and people living safely. Birds singing. That’s what we’re working toward.”
Daryna added, “We’re helping farmers return to their land. That motivates me –knowing these fields will grow food again, feed families again.”
Over the next seven months, the teams aim to survey around 1,800 square kilometres of contaminated land with a clear mission: to save and change lives.
