This marks the third and largest group of dogs trained under the project of the Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission and the EU External Action Service.
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The training of these four-legged companions was carried out in Belgium, Poland, Italy, Malta, Luxembourg, and Finland. In Poland, the dogs underwent a 14-day adaptation course at the Polish Carpathian Border Guard Unit, where Ukrainian dog handlers had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with their new charges.
The estimated budget for the project, continuing until 2025, amounts to EUR 3 million ($3.4 million), Ukrinform said. In total, the European Commission plans to transfer 50 specially trained mine detection dogs to Ukraine. The first group of nine dogs was transferred to Ukraine in March 2023, followed by another group of nine dogs in November.
Ukraine's Internal Affairs Minister Ihor Klymenko said on April 5 that due to Russia's full-scale invasion, roughly 25% of Ukraine's territory is contaminated with mines and explosive devices.
Earlier reports indicated that 30% of Ukraine's territory was mined as a result of Russia's invasion, equivalent in size to two territories of Austria. The Internal Affairs Ministry and the State Emergency Service estimate that it may take up to ten years to fully demine these areas.
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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Section: Nation
Author: Владислава Топоркова
