As our train drew into Kyiv station, we were briefed: “It’s easy to forget you are in a warzone. Don’t.”
Forgetting where we were seemed an unlikely risk, with the air raid alert apps downloaded on our phones and the explanation of how to find a shelter fresh in our minds. But once we were out on the streets, the need for that reminder became obvious: the people of Kyiv were defiantly living their lives, despite vicious Russian air attacks – often clearly targeted at civilians – being a multiple daily occurrence. We saw the same defiant normality when we visited Lviv.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance – ongoing danger
I was making my second visit to the Ukrainian capital since the Russian invasion, this time with the All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons and Their Impacts. It was not long before we were hearing how danger can persist long after the immediate threat of an attack. We were told about the land mines planted by Russian forces (who reached right to the outskirts of the capital during the initial invasion), shrapnel-filled sub-munitions (used despite being banned by international treaty), plus rockets and bombs that fail to detonate, presenting a threat that will persist for many years.
As we left on the train for Lviv, the Russians mounted a maximum-effort attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, using Shahed drones, air-launched ballistic missiles and Iskander ballistic missiles.
Saving lives and treating the injured
We visited the first responders who have to deal with the immediate aftermath of such an attack, the State Emergency Services of Ukraine, both at their headquarters and at the Lviv State University of Life Safety where the elite cadets are being trained. There they learn to deal with these munitions, but also how to respond to biological, cyber and the many other threats they may face. And of course they are also trained in the awful first aid tasks they will face.
Those they pull from the rubble after Russian attacks may end up at the hugely impressive facilities of the charities Superhumans, and Unbroken, now truly world-leading in their provision, thanks to the bitter reality of hard experience in a nation where tens of thousands have lost limbs. Some 62% of those treated at Superhumans are under 40, so they have a lifetime to live as well as they can. Ensuring their ability to fully participate in society is clearly essential both for the individuals affected and for their society’s future.
Among the people we met being treated at Superhumans was a Briton, Eddy Scott, who was working – in a clearly marked vehicle – as a humanitarian rescuer, when it was targeted. He lost his arm and leg, and it was only brilliant first aid and later care that saved his life.
The human impacts extend beyond the physical. It was said to me that this is an entire nation suffering from post-traumatic shock disorder, except without the ‘post’, this being life for Ukrainians for more than three years and seven months. One of our translators told me that they used to suffer from panic attacks when they heard a drone, but they’ve worked through that now.
Mine dogs, ‘GRIT’ and the BBC
But that’s something that mine clearers – like British-founded Mines Advisory Group and Halo Trust – have to keep in mind, particularly as they are increasingly training veterans for the exacting task of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance.
Sometimes that’s a cross-species task. We saw dogs that had been highly trained by an organisation called Apopo find a tiny piece of Semtex, and heard how there are particular tasks for which they provide by far the best approach, particularly ‘targeted technical surveys’.
That was just one of the terms that we heard a great deal about. Another – obviously related – was ‘non-technical survey’. This is a crucial tool in a country where, according to a government estimate, 29% of the nation, or 174,000 square kilometres, may be contaminated. In large areas, these surveys can quickly establish whether a feared risk exists or not.
The Ukrainians have developed a software solution – GRIT – that helps to work out where the need for action is most urgent. A key priority is to clear food-growing land. Ukraine is a vital supplier of mass commodities to global south nations that urgently need the food it exports. It also relies on small plots on which Ukrainians grow large quantities of fresh vegetables and fruit, some wonderful examples of which we enjoyed during the visit, when we met Oleksii Sobolev, the minister of economy, agriculture and environment.
Another urgent job is to inform the Ukrainian population about the risks from the weapons that can be found in so much of the country. This is known as EORO (Explosive Ordnance Risk Education). We heard how BBC Media Action is working on a range of projects to help with that, as well as supporting the former state-controlled radio and TV network, Suspilnie – the oldest public services broadcaster in Europe helping the newest.
Reasons to be optimistic
Ukraine is a nation facing huge challenges, but I left feeling optimistic, thanks to the determination of the people, and also to the obvious prospects. After the war, I can see Ukrainian cities becoming boomtowns, attracting young visitors particularly, with their vibrant culture, food and nightlife, and with the innovative small businesses already determinedly thriving.
And something further I learnt from the visit was that Britain’s contribution in helping Ukraine defend itself, in standing as its friend on the international stage, is highly valued. And that is something that can only stand us in good stead in the future relationship between our two countries. Supporting Ukraine’s efforts against Russian aggression is not only morally the right thing to do, but also practically a positive choice for the UK’s future place in the world.
The APPG visit was funded by a number of British companies that make mine-clearing and related equipment.
