Ukrainian women train in bomb disposal thanks to local charity

The group, some of whom are from the emergency services or military, while others are representing charities or NGOs, started a three-week course at a facility in Peja, Kosovo, on Monday.

The course is being sponsored by two donors, one of which is the Sir Bobby Charlton Foundation, whose CEO, Lou McGrath, was one of the founders of the Mines Advisory Group.

An anonymous Channel Islands businessman is the other sponsor of the course, which is being provided by MAT Kosovo – recognised as being the best place outside of the military to provide specialist training to International Mine Action Standards.

Specialist adviser to the charity, former soldier and MAT Kosovo managing director Ben Remfrey, has helped train Ukrainian soldiers and, in February, was contacted by the Ukrainian army for advice on disposing of explosives.

He said that after the training was completed, the women would be able to assist agencies in mapping out the extent of unexploded ordnance in areas to which displaced Ukrainians will want to return eventually.

There will be a lot to deal with.

‘Normally in a conflict, 15% of everything fired or dropped fails,’ he said.

But in this war the figure is closer to 60% as well as the issue of booby traps, which Russians are likely to have left in people’s homes.

Artur Tigani, chief instructor for the course, said that over the years the facility in Peja had trained more than 1,000 students from 70 countries.

‘We’re looking forward to working with the Ukrainian service personnel.

‘It is our life’s work to save lives, and help others save lives.

‘Our work will help to make a difference on the ground in Ukraine.’

International media has already taken an interest in the project, with US news network Vice News documenting the progress.

This is set to be the first of many courses being held in Kosovo that are intended to make a real difference to the security of the civilian population in Ukraine now and long-term, said Mr Remfrey.

A liaison team is being sent to Kosovo by the UK military to see how the training is done.

‘They want to work with us,’ he said.

Channel Islanders should be proud of Friends of Ukraine EOD, he said.

‘The daunting task of conducting survey in Ukraine, in the first instance, to enable the clearing of the land of unexploded ordnance such as cluster munitions, minefields, and other explosive remnants of war will be critical.’

It was not long ago that Kosovo itself received support from islanders to help rid itself of the explosive remnants of war.

The charity is seeking to raise further funding, to achieve its initial aims in providing specialist equipment and further training for the survey and clearance of explosive ordnance in Ukraine.

‘This has to be a long-term endeavour if we are to truly make an impact on the ground clearing Ukraine of the remnants of this war and making it safe for people to live and eventually return,’ said Friends of Ukraine director Andrea Dudley-Owen.

‘It’s fantastic to have a first cohort, especially of all female personnel, starting intensive training this week in Kosovo so that they can return and use their specialist skills in the often-painstaking work of survey and ordnance clearance in Ukraine.’

n Anyone wanting to assist with funding the Friends of Ukraine can donate via the charity’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/friendsofukraine

Or visit the FoU-EOD website donations page: www.friendsofukraineeod.com/donate-1.