Antonina Kulhava is among the humanitarian deminers working to clear Ukraine’s vast and perilous minefields, a critical effort in a country heavily affected by unexploded ordnance. Ukraine is estimated to have between 20 to 25 percent of its territory—over 139,000 square kilometers—contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants of war, an area larger than England and Wales combined. These threats pose a serious risk to civilians, including children, and contribute to high casualty rates.

Kulhava, 32, leads a team that meticulously surveys and clears contaminated land using a combination of manual, mechanical, and canine detection methods. Their work involves identifying and safely disposing of various explosive devices, such as mines, grenades, rockets, missiles, cluster munitions, drones, aircraft bombs, and mortars. The clearance process starts with a technical survey to assess ground conditions, followed by field operations where team members wear protective gear to reduce risk.

The mine clearance sector remains male-dominated, with women representing about 30 to 35 percent of the humanitarian mine action workforce, and only roughly 12 percent engaged directly in field operations. Kulhava initially hesitated to take on the role, having previously worked in finance and as a pastry chef. She discovered the position through the Mines Advisory Group (MAG) while awaiting a visa for travel abroad and was initially deterred by its dangers. After further research, she chose to join and initially kept the job secret from her family to avoid their worry. Her family later expressed concern but also support for her work.

Daily life for Kulhava is marked by heightened awareness of ongoing threats, including the drone activity linked to the conflict. She begins her days by checking local alerts before heading to demining sites—often fields once farmed and now scarred by missile craters. Despite the risks, Kulhava finds her role fulfilling, emphasizing the broader impact of land clearance that allows displaced families to return home safely and cultivates areas for agriculture. She points to fields once mined that are now blooming with sunflowers as a tangible sign of progress.

Through her work, Kulhava also experiences a renewed appreciation for life amid the challenges faced by Ukrainians, including harsh winters complicated by infrastructure damage and power outages caused by continued hostilities. Her efforts, along with those of her colleagues, aim to reduce the danger posed by unexploded ordnance and contribute to the country’s recovery and future safety. Her experiences have been documented through an oral history project by the Imperial War Museum in the United Kingdom, preserving her story for future generations.