International companies and funds face systemic barriers when operating in Ukraine. War risks remain the main deterrent. Insurance is prohibitively expensive, especially outside Kyiv. Project profitability is uncertain. The government focuses on defense and critical infrastructure recovery. As a result, equipment procurement and the development of a demining market are not a priority.
“Problems for companies in Ukraine include war risks, prohibitively expensive insurance (especially outside Kyiv), uncertain profitability, and the government’s understandable focus on defense capability and the restoration and repair of critical infrastructure rather than equipment procurement,” said Richard Loydell, Director of DOK-ING Ukraine, in an exclusive interview with Richard Loydell, Director of DOK-ING Ukraine, for the Interfax-Ukraine.
The biggest risk is the war itself. It affects the safety of personnel, equipment, and financial returns. Investors still lack a clear answer to a key question: who will pay for the work. Without sustainable peace, large international players are unlikely to enter the market.
Another issue is the near-total reliance on donor funding. State support is limited and inconsistent. There is no stable financial model. This complicates planning and slows the development of a commercial segment.
Talks with the World Bank offer a possible way forward. The idea is to integrate demining into every reconstruction project as a mandatory component. This could reduce risks for investors and create a more predictable operating environment.
At the same time, a core problem remains. Ukraine does not yet treat demining as a long-term industrial sector. Because of this, international investors remain cautious. Market scaling continues to lag despite strong demand.
Humanitarian demining almost doubles in Ukraine
