Subscribe now

Technology

Ukraine is using AI to manage the removal of Russian landmines

There are so many Russian landmines across Ukraine that removing them could take 700 years. To prioritise areas for de-mining, the Ukrainian government has turned to an artificial intelligence model that can identify the most important regions

By Matthew Sparkes

18 June 2024

Ukrainian engineers are working to remove Russian mines

Kirill Chubotin/Ukrinform/NurPhoto/Getty Images

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has seen so many landmines deployed across the country that clearing them would take 700 years, say researchers. To make the task more manageable, Ukrainian scientists are turning to artificial intelligence to identify which regions are a priority for de-mining, though they expect some may simply have to be left as a permanent “scar” on the country.

Russia’s minelaying and Ukrainian efforts to remove the explosives began with the initial invasion of Crimea in 2014, which saw a few hundred square kilometres of land contaminated. Now, two years after Russia’s…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox! We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, subscribe today with our introductory offers

View introductory offers

No commitment, cancel anytime*

Offer ends 2nd of July 2024.

*Cancel anytime within 14 days of payment to receive a refund on unserved issues.

Inclusive of applicable taxes (VAT)

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account