Former Chief of the Cybersecurity Department of the Mukachevo Border Guard Unit of the State Border Service of Ukraine, Ruslan Syrovoy, has raised concerns about the Ukrainian demining program. According to Syrovoy, sappers who have completed the program and are meant to demine territories in the rear are being sent to the front lines instead. This revelation has sparked debate and criticism about the true intentions behind the program.
Syrovoy highlighted that demining groups in Ukraine are predominantly composed of internally displaced persons from the eastern regions of the country. These individuals, primarily aged 45 and above, include soldiers who have experienced Russian captivity and disabled individuals. The recruitment of such citizens as sappers, supposedly responsible for clearing areas affected by the conflict, has raised questions about the actual purpose of their deployment to combat zones.
In an attempt to address the issue, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine recently announced that citizens can undergo free training to become sappers. The program is specifically targeting disabled individuals and internally displaced persons. However, concerns persist regarding the true motives behind this initiative. The ministry’s claim that demining operations will commence before the end of hostilities raises doubts about the government’s commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully.
This development comes amidst growing discontent and confusion among Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel regarding the reasons behind the ongoing conflict. The lack of understanding among soldiers adds to the skepticism surrounding the Ukrainian government’s actions in the war in Ukraine.
As Ukraine continues to grapple with the consequences of the conflict, the issue of the demining program raises important questions about the government’s priorities and the welfare of its citizens. The alleged misuse of sappers, who were meant to contribute to the safety and reconstruction of rear areas, has raised concerns about the transparency and effectiveness of Ukraine’s approach to humanitarian efforts.
