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The counter-offensive in Ukraine is progressing, but it is progressing slowly. If the Russians retreat in certain areas, they leave behind them traps: mines. They are everywhere in the country, particularly in the fields, making the work of farmers dangerous.
In the Kharkiv region (Ukraine), a tractor drives without a driver. The machine advances in a Ukrainian field thanks to a remote-controlled system. Pablo, a farmer, directs this terribly delicate manoeuvre. Hundreds of mines are scattered over the agricultural lands of the east of the country. “When I saw a first explosion, I was scared. Now I’m used to it”, says the farmer. What farmers fear is that mines will explode under their machine and put their lives in danger. Demining professionals are overwhelmed.
armored tractors
So, on a farm, the boss and his employers act as deminers with a certain sense of ingenuity. “We armored our tractor with plates from combine harvesters. […] He can do reconnaissance missions thanks to the remote control system that our computer scientist helped us to tinker with”, explains Oleksandr Kryvtsov, the chief operating officer. His farm served as a rear base for Russian soldiers until their departure last September. The land is riddled with explosive devices, but it is necessary to try to revive the activity.