US ex-soldier clears mines on Ukraine's farms

Risking his own life to help the Ukrainian people, Ryan Hendrickson spent the last month searching for and diffusing hundreds of landmines left by retreating Russian soldiers.

On top of that, he has located and made safe many booby trap bombs also left in haste to cause serious injury or death to innocent local civilians who may unwittingly trigger them.

Originally from Oregon, Mr Hendrickson has previously completed eight combat deployments to Afghanistan, and served stints in both the US Navy and Air Force, leading to decorations with the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart, and an Army Commendation Medal with Valour.

After Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February, Ryan felt a calling to assist the people of Ukraine and subsequently quit his job and flew out. After helping with the humanitarian effort – and backed up with the skills gained in Afghanistan – Ryan started to clear farmland and rural dwellings of landmines.

He said: “In Afghanistan I had spent most of my time on combat missions clearing the route of IEDs and mines as my ODA team would move to whichever target we had. I have found many IEDs and landmines during my eight deployments in Afghanistan.”

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As the Ukrainian farmers return to properties in previously occupied areas, and try to enter fields to sow and harvest crops, they face serious danger. Numerous tractors and other farm equipment have already been blown up after hitting mines, resulting in serious injuries to the drivers and in a number of extreme incidents, drivers were sadly killed.

Ryan said: “The Ukrainian military is so bogged down with the war effort that the clearance operations to make these villages and farms safe for civilians often are neglected due to workforce shortages."

Ryan concentrated his efforts in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine where the fighting is currently at its most intense.

On one particular farm, the farmer had already driven his combine over a landmine resulting in it being blown over in the field.

“Thankfully the farmer survived,” said Ryan. “However, his land was infested with mines and in one day we removed 100 mines from his fields. I can’t explain in words how happy he was that day.”

Farmers in Ukraine are eager to get their crops harvested this fall but know there could be life taking dangers submerged below the soil. During August, Ryan and his helpers defused and lifted a total of 334 mines from various fields, an impressive tally given the dangerous circumstances.

All of the mines Ryan uncovers are handed over to the Ukrainian Army and the duds are detonated by Ryan himself, or marked in the ground with coordinates recorded and sent to the army.

He is now returning home to recharge his own battery and prepare for his next mission, which he hopes will see him return to Ukraine for more landmine clearance.

“As I am heading back home I have already donated my detectors to the Ukrainian units I have trained so they can carry on the essential work in my absence. There is a lot more work to do in Ukraine to make the farms and properties safe and free of landmines.

“The task to de-mine Ukraine is daunting but we take it one farm, one village and one field at a time spreading hope as we go,” he said.

If you would like to donate to Ryan’s cause you can do so at https://linktr.ee/rmhendrickson.tipofthespear