Countering the mine threat will take years.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is convinced that the mine terror of the Russian occupiers against Ukrainians is even more cruel than the missile terror. He emphasized that the mine threat will have to be countered for years, because it is about more than 170 thousand square kilometers of dangerous territory.

In an evening address on December 8, 2022, Zelensky noted that he had signed decrees awarding state awards – posthumously – to policemen who died on the eve of the Kherson Oblast as a result of a mine explosion.

“They did everything for the safety of Ukrainians. Already returning after completing one of the tasks – when they removed weapons and ammunition from the hideout of the occupiers, many of which were left in the Kherson region – the policemen fell into a mine trap,” the president said.

Zelensky emphasized that this is the form of Russian terror that will have to be countered for years.

“Terrorists are deliberately trying to leave behind as many death traps as possible. Buried landmines, streamers, mined buildings, cars and infrastructure,” the head of state said.

The president added that it is about more than 170 thousand square kilometers of dangerous territory.

“I am sure: this will be among the points of accusation against Russia for aggression – exactly mine terror. Which is even more cruel and mean than missile, because there is no anti-mine system that could destroy at least part of the threat, as our air defense does.” – said Zelensky.

He also thanked all partners who help Ukraine in demining. We are talking about Canada, Japan, Great Britain, Slovakia and other countries.

The death of policemen in the Kherson region

On December 7, a group of policemen from the Cherkasy region blew up in the Kherson region while carrying out a task on mines.

As a result of the explosion, the following people died: Mykhailo Kuratchenko, the head of the National Police Headquarters in the Cherkasy region, Ihor Melnyk, a bomb technician, Serhii Nenada, a dog trainer, and Vadym Peryzhok, assistant of the duty response sector of the patrol police of the Uman district police department.

Four more law enforcement officers were injured.

Today, December 8, Zelensky posthumously conferred the title of Hero of Ukraine on Kuratchenko, and his colleagues were posthumously awarded the Order of Courage, III degree.