Press release, B-roll and images available here.
Near the town of Bucha, where the legacy of conflict still lingers beneath the soil, a different kind of operation is underway: one that blends human courage with cutting-edge technology to save lives.
On Friday, April 24, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, joined HALO Ukrainian deminers on the ground. He saw firsthand how innovation is reshaping one of the world’s most dangerous jobs.
From hands and knees to AI and drones
Prince Harry piloted an AI-powered drone that can detect and map lethal explosives in real time.
The drone can capture images of a potential minefield. These images are then combined with AI models trained to identify and classify war debris.
In Ukraine, where teams collect vast volumes of high-resolution drone imagery, these models are speeding up how deminers analyze terrain for explosive threats.
Traditionally, manually assessing land for explosives can take days. With technology, it can take hours.
This acceleration has transformed operations. Teams can now rapidly identify high-risk areas, prioritize clearance, and reduce the time communities spend living alongside hidden threats. This means it takes less time for families to return home, farmers to safely grow crops, and children to play outside without fear.
The Duke later watched a demonstration of R-BOT technology, a form of unmanned ground vehicle used to remotely remove explosives.
The technology has enabled HALO teams to inspect explosive ordnance remotely, assess threats before approaching, and interact with hazardous objects from a safe distance.
By operating the vehicle remotely, human deminers can perform their duties while staying safe at the most dangerous moments.
On the evolution of demining technology, the Duke said: “Nearly thirty years ago, when my mother visited Angola, deminers carried out their work on their hands and knees, painstakingly uncovering hidden explosives. Today, thanks to innovation, they are using drones, AI and robots to do this vital work with greater precision and protection.”
The scale of the challenge and why it matters
In 2022, the Ukrainian government estimated that 43 million acres of land – roughly the size of Florida – was potentially littered with landmines and other explosives.
Since then, HALO’s teams have used advanced surveying and drone technology to deliver real progress:
- Over seven million acres, an area larger than Massachusetts, has been confirmed safe to use. This has given families the confidence to return to their homes and farmers the green light to reclaim and farm their fields.
- Over 60,000 explosive items have been found and destroyed, removing some of the deadly threats that Ukrainians face every day.
In Ukraine, land is becoming safe while fighting continues to actively take place. New threats are constantly emerging.
But HALO is adapting in real time by using advanced technologies to clear land with greater efficiency and precision.
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Remembering the victims of Bucha
The Duke paid his respects at Bucha’s memorial to civilian victims of the Russian occupation of Bucha, which took place between February 27 and March 31, 2022.
The surrounding land and buildings were left impacted by deadly mines and unexploded weapons – including missiles, bombs and grenades.
Be part of a new era of mine clearance
The scale of the challenge in Ukraine is immense. But a new era of innovation in mine clearance is already transforming how we’re making land safer.
By introducing new technologies, deminers can clear mines faster, smarter, and more efficiently. This means land can get safely back into the hands of communities.
“I’m incredibly proud to support this new generation of mine clearance. Because at its heart, this work is about restoring not just land but dignity, safety, and hope.”
