Ukraine’s national mine action strategy through 2033 sets two major goals: to develop state operators and to stimulate the commercial demining market. Experts doubt that both goals can be achieved simultaneously. Under current conditions, this may cause inefficiency and distort the market, slowing real progress in demining.
“In my view, this is unrealistic and ethically unfair. I have not seen any comparable models in the world. A country that tries to build up state operators while simultaneously promoting a competitive commercial market always distorts market dynamics,” said Richard Loydell, Director of DOK-ING Ukraine, in an exclusive interview for the Interfax-Ukraine.
State operators have significant advantages: administrative, logistical, and operational costs are covered by taxpayers. They do not pay taxes on the land they clear and mostly operate in rapid-response mode. Commercial companies, on the other hand, work under strict international standards, pay taxes, purchase their own equipment, and stimulate the economy.
In 2025, private operators cleared more land than state operators. This shows that the commercial sector can deliver the necessary scale and pace of operations. They create jobs, spend funds locally, and generate economic impact, while state operators continue to receive funding regardless of productivity.
The expert emphasizes that state structures are needed as insurance for crisis situations and emergency challenges. But only a strong commercial sector can provide scale, speed, and sustainability in the long term. Attempting to develop both models at the same time risks slowing real progress in returning contaminated land to productive use.
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