United to win: Canada donates robots to Ukraine for remote demining operations

Ukrainian rescuers just received another shipment of aid from Canada, specifically robots designed for remote demining of land.

The State Emergency Service of Ukraine reported this.

What is the problem?

Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and active hostilities, Ukraine is contaminated with explosive objects. Some analysts call Ukraine the most mined country in the world.

Currently, 30% of the state's total area, which is equivalent to 174 thousand square kilometers, is posing a potential danger. With such extensive coverage, the new equipment will aid sappers in performing remote reconnaissance and defusing ammunition more efficiently and with reduced risks to their health and lives.

^{Photo: State Emergency Service}

What is the solution?

"Another batch of technical assistance has arrived from the Canadian government to the State Emergency Service – new DIGITAL VANGUARD-S robotic complexes that will help Ukrainian pyrotechnicians to defuse explosive ammunition in populated areas," the message reads.

The DIGITAL VANGUARD-S robotic complexes were transferred to the pyrotechnic units of the Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions and to the sappers of the Luhansk garrison, who are currently working in the Kherson region.

The Mobile Rapid Response Rescue Center, the Interregional Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and the 2nd Special Rapid Response Center of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine also received them.

How does it work?

DIGITAL VANGUARD-S has three installed cameras, thanks to which the operator monitors the manipulations and receives a clear and high-quality image of the work site in real time.

^{Photo: State Emergency Service}

Thanks to the wireless and wired connection, the robots can work for up to 5 hours and perform various tasks – remotely destroying explosive objects or reconnaissance of the area.

Such technological capabilities allow them not to come close to explosive objects. Due to small dimensions and maneuverability, robots can be used in hard-to-reach places.

For reference:

Since the start of the Russian Federation's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, a total of 450,998 explosives have been neutralized. This includes 2,892 kilograms of explosive material and 3,122 aerial bombs. Additionally, over 107,920 hectares of land have been surveyed during the process.