Drones are helping to identify and clear deadly minefields

DRONES are transforming the search for deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine by allowing experts to safely survey land in more detail than ever before.

- By Hanna Geissler

Humanitarian charity The Halo Trust clocked up more than 1,400 hours of flying time last year identifying threats in regions contaminated during the Russia-Ukraine war.

Michael Nevard, Halo's director of capability, said: "Our survey teams have successfully used small drones to identify and confirm many pieces of unexploded ordnance including landmines, rockets, missiles, and grenades, in different areas during the survey stage.

"For example, in Kherson Oblast our survey teams were able to identify a new anti-vehicle mine line on a track between trees that was not identified during a previous survey without using drones."

Halo's three regional drone teams include seven pilots trained to fly large drones with high-resolution cameras to produce high-quality maps of minefields.

Some 80 pilots are also trained to use small mapping-capable drones.