Prince Harry Praises Courage and Ingenuity of HALO's Ukrainian Deminers

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Wearing a pilot headset, Prince Harry flew an AI-powered drone that detects and maps the position of lethal explosives. He then operated a robot used to remove incendiaries from the ground. 

'It's amazing to see technology transform the work of the HALO Trust – making mine clearance smarter, faster and safer,' he said. 

'When my mother visited Angola nearly 30 years ago, deminers carried out their work on their hands and knees to uncover hidden explosives. Now they're also using drones, AI and robots for greater precision and protection. 

'This isn't just progress – it's lifesaving. HALO's deminers help farmers to plant and harvest the land without fear and despite the war. Their efforts mean that, one day, displaced Ukrainians can return home to safe communities.' 

^{Prince Harry in Bucha | Credit: The HALO Trust}

 
The Duke also paid his respects at Bucha's memorial to the civilian victims of the Russian occupation that took place between 27 February and 31 March 2022. The atrocities committed in the town triggered international condemnation at the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.  

The land and buildings around Bucha were left littered with deadly mines and unexploded munitions including missiles, bombs and grenades; a legacy of the fierce fighting which took place as Ukrainian troops repelled the Russian forces.  

Today – after years of work by HALO experts – much of the land around Bucha is now safe.  

Ivan Kovalchuk, who survived the occupation of the town, told us:

'It was a terrible time and, even after the Russians were driven out, this place was still so dangerous. We couldn't go into the fields because of all the explosives. It was frightening. But now, thanks to HALO, we have our lives back. We're still at war but at least we can plant our crops again.'

Prince Harry ended his time in Ukraine saying, 'I'm incredibly proud to support this new generation of mine clearance. Ukraine is still at war, but HALO's work brings safety and hope.'

To find out more about the life-saving work of The HALO Trust and become part of building a safer, mine-free world, please visit www.halotrust.org