Korniyenko: We call on world parliaments to unite to help in demining of Ukraine’s territory

KYIV. March 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Oleksandr Korniyenko has called on the parliaments of the world to help Ukraine in demining its territory.

“On the sidelines of the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an important topic was raised – the demining of the territory of Ukraine. We call on the parliaments of the world to unite to help liberate our lands from mines and bombs,” the press service of the Verkhovna Rada quoted Korniyenko as saying on Wednesday.

The First Deputy Speaker noted that Russia uses various modifications of anti-personnel mines in Ukraine, ignoring the norms and principles of international humanitarian law. “Russian troops are laying mines on civilian roads and in residential areas. During the retreat, the Russian armed forces left countless unexploded ordnance, mines and booby traps,” Korniyenko said.

According to him, Ukraine is clearing the territory, mobilizing all available resources, but this is not enough. He recalled that since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation, Ukrainian specialists engaged in humanitarian demining have examined more than 790 square meters, more than 321,000 explosive objects were destroyed on the territory.

More than 25 countries took part in the special session on mine clearance, including Chile, Indonesia, Cambodia, Italy, Great Britain, Canada, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria.

As reported, the delegation of the Ukrainian parliament headed by Korniyenko on March 11-15 participates in the meeting of the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Manama (Bahrain).