Kiev reports progress in mine-clearing efforts in east Ukraine
Xinhua, November 4, 2015 Adjust font size:
Ukraine's Defence Ministry Tuesday reported progress in clearing territories in eastern regions from landmines and other explosive objects that had been planted during a recent conflict between government troops and pro-independence rebels.
"Some 22,000 of unexploded ordnance have been destroyed in the area since the start of the military operation. About 585 km of automobile roads and 17 km of railways have already been cleared from landmines," Oksana Gavrylyuk, the ministry's spokesperson, told a media conference.
Still, there is much work ahead to make the conflict-torn region totally free of unexploded ordnance, Gavrylyuk said, pointing that about 21,000 square km of battlefields in the government-controlled territory and some 16,000 square km in the rebel-held areas remain to be cleared.
Earlier in the day, the government military spokesman Olexandr Motuzyanuk said that 23 civilians, including four children, have fallen victims to landmine explosions in Donetsk region since the beginning of the year.
Almost 8,000 people have been killed and around 17,800 others wounded since the conflict started in April 2014 in eastern Ukraine.
On Sept. 1, a comprehensive cease-fire was established in the restive areas, which brought fragile peace to the region. Endit