KIEV, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Demining units of the Ukrainian state emergency service cleared 173 explosive remnants of war (ERW), mines and even aircraft bombs alone over the past 24 hours, and 32,000 items since the beginning of this year, according to the press service of the Ukrainian ministry of internal affairs on Wednesday.
The majority of work is done in Donetsk and Luhansk regions where demining is a great issue due to the ongoing conflict.
Five years into the conflict, Ukraine is one of the most mine-affected countries in the world. More anti-vehicle mine accidents have happened in Ukraine than in any other country for three years in a row, according to HALO Trust data.
HALO and other demining operators have mapped over 15 million square meters of mined land in Ukraine, with well over half a million civilians affected in government-controlled areas alone.
The ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine broke out in April 2014 as separatist forces clashed with government forces.
