The Lithuanian and Icelandic-coordinated Capability Coalition for Demining of Ukraine held its 22 meeting with 13 members and 6 partner organisations in Lviv. At the event, the equipment bought with the Coalition’s funds this year – trucks, MRAP armored vehicles and microbuses – were handed over Ukraine.
In 2024–2026, the Demining Coalition Fund reached approx. 150 million of euros contributed by the member states. The budget was used to acquire and transfer to Ukraine equipment worth of 89 million euros. The Capability Coalition for Demining includes 23 members, 5 observers and 12 partners.
Among the equipment transferred to Ukraine: all-terrain vehicles, mine detectors, ambulances, 5-ton trucks, infantry fighting vehicles, MRAP armored vehicles, individual EOD kits, electronic warfare systems, mine rollers, minibuses, demining kits and night vision devices.
“The Capability Coalition for Demining of Ukraine, coordinated by Lithuania and Iceland and rendering comprehensive assistance to Ukraine since 2023, has grown into a platform of international significance. We have mobilized resources of the like-minded nations, private companies and organisations thus strengthening Ukraine’s humanitarian and military demining capabilities and contributing to the reconstruction of the country’s security, economy and communities,” says Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
Lithuania has committed EUR 77 million, besides bilateral assistance in urgent military and engineer equipment, to the Coalition Fund in 2024–2026.
Besides, Ukraine has received deliveries or donations of equipment worth of EUR 608 million from Germany, Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, Slovakia, U.S. Tetra Tech, Netherlands-financed UNOPS project, and Canada’s Mriya Aid.
Additional delivery of EUR 205 million worth of equipment is planned to follow in 2026. There are contract implementation underway concerning MRAP vehicles, trucks, electronic warfare systems and remote-controlled demining systems worth of EUR 46 million, out of the EUR 95 million acquisitions slated for this year.
The meeting of the Lithuanian and Icelandic-coordinated Demining Coalition in Lviv addressed the results of the support implementation plan this year, and set out further activity priorities and objectives. The participating delegations also visited the Humanitarian Demining School where they familiarized with the best practices and experience in the area of humanitarian demining, and attended a technology exhibit.
Ukraine remains the most heavily mine-polluted nation worldwide, the pollution affecting approx. one third of its territory. Mines not only endanger Ukrainian civilian and troops but also slow down the reconstruction of critical infrastructure and prevent farmers from returning to some of the richest lands in Europe. The most urgent demining needs today concern the front areas to clear the way for further military operations, as well as agricultural areas, forests, rivers and industrial infrastructure, to ensure the economy and communities are able to recover.
