Latest News

June - July 2025

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Stay informed with the most up-to-date developments in the Explosive Ordnance (EO) sector. From breakthroughs in technology to critical global updates, this column delivers timely insights that matter.

EOKHUB team

2025

1 .June 2025 Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan Neutralizes Over 3,200 Explosive Devices in June

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) reported significant progress in demining operations across the country's liberated territories during June, successfully neutralizing 3,247 explosive devices.

The cleared ordnance included 333 anti-personnel mines, 107 anti-tank mines, and 2,807 unexploded ordnance (UXOs) across 13 districts including Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavand, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan. Operations covered 6,618.1 hectares of contaminated land.

Since the 2020 Second Karabakh War, mine-related incidents have claimed 399 lives, adding to over 3,400 total casualties since the early 1990s. Armenia's failure to provide accurate minefield maps continues to complicate clearance efforts and delay the safe return of 800,000 displaced residents.

Despite clearing approximately 140,000 hectares to date, vast contaminated areas remain, requiring continued international support alongside Azerbaijan's national investment in demining operations.

Source: Caliber.az

2. June 2025 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Over 820 Square Kilometers Still Contaminated with Landmines

The Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC) reported that more than 820 square kilometers of land—approximately 1.6% of the country's territory—remain contaminated with landmines, highlighting the persistent legacy of the 1992-1996 Bosnian War.

BHMAC Director Enis Horozovic noted that over 4,180 square kilometers were initially affected by mining during the conflict, with around 3,360 square kilometers cleared to date. However, authorities acknowledged that demining progress over the past decade has fallen short of expectations.

Key Developments:

Under its revised 2025-2027 strategy, BHMAC aims to clear 75 square kilometers of suspected contaminated areas annually
The BiH Council of Ministers has tasked BHMAC with preparing a detailed action plan to establish a final deadline for achieving mine-free status
A new Mine Action Law is currently being formulated

The update was presented at a Donor Committee for Mine Action meeting organized by the Ministry of Civil Affairs with UNDP support, attended by embassy representatives, international organizations, and domestic institutions.

Source: Sarajevo Times

3. June 2025 Ukraine

Ukraine Clears Over 41,000 Hectares in First Half of 2025

Ukrainian Ministry of Defence demining specialists achieved significant progress in the first half of 2025, clearing 41,243 hectares of explosive ordnance from previously liberated territories. This area is nearly half the size of Kyiv or equivalent to more than 57,000 football fields.

Agricultural land accounted for over 95% of the cleared area, with 39,401.64 hectares made safe for farming. January and May were the most productive months, with 8,755 and 7,847 hectares cleared respectively.

Beyond agricultural areas, sappers cleared 162 km of roadways, 93 km of railways, 48 km of power lines, and 16 km of pipelines. Residential areas totaling 17.6 hectares were also made safe.

During this period, demining specialists discovered and neutralized 29,860 explosive devices. Since February 2022, the total number of neutralized explosive items has reached 448,614.

The number of certified mine action operators in Ukraine has grown from 80 at the beginning of 2025 to 107 by the end of June, reflecting the expanding capacity for humanitarian demining operations.

Source: Ukrainian Ministry of Defence

4. June 2025 Ukraine

Ukraine Mine Clearance Crisis: 137,000 km² Territory Contaminated

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres during his working visit to Spain, highlighting the massive scale of mine contamination across Ukraine. According to Shmyhal, approximately 137,000 km² of Ukrainian territory is currently mined - an area representing significant portions of the country.

During the meeting, Shmyhal emphasized that while mine action operators are actively working on clearance operations, the volume of work remains enormous and requires additional international support. He briefed Guterres on daily Russian attacks using hundreds of air targets, including drones and missiles, which continue to target civilian areas and claim lives.

The Prime Minister stressed that Russia shows no willingness to negotiate, requiring systemic international pressure, tougher sanctions, and continued weapons support for Ukraine's defense capabilities. He thanked Guterres for his involvement in the Black Sea Grain Initiative and humanitarian programs supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Source: Censor.NET