In a recent article published in The Economist, Valerii Zaluzhny, the commander in chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces and known as the "Iron General," voiced his concerns about the inadequacy of Western supplies of mine-clearing equipment to effectively combat Russia's formidable minefields. Zaluzhny described Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia as a "'positional' warfare of static and attritional fighting, reminiscent of the First World War."

According to Zaluzhny, Ukraine lacks the necessary mine-clearing equipment to make significant breakthroughs against Russia. Even Western supplies, such as Norwegian mine-clearing tanks and rocket-powered mine-clearing devices, have proven insufficient in the face of the extensive Russian minefields that stretch back 20km (12 miles) in certain areas. Zaluzhny also pointed out that Russia quickly replenishes the breached minefields by launching new mines from a distance.

To overcome the challenges posed by Russian minefields, Zaluzhny emphasized the need for advanced technology. He highlighted the requirement for radar-like sensors utilizing invisible pulses of light to detect mines underground, as well as smoke-projection systems to conceal the activities of de-mining units. Zaluzhny also suggested the use of jet engines from decommissioned aircraft, water cannons, or cluster munitions to breach mine barriers without the need for extensive digging. Additionally, he mentioned the potential benefits of employing new types of tunnel excavators, such as plasma torch-equipped robots, to bore tunnels.

Ukraine unleashed a highly anticipated counteroffensive in the summer to drive Russian forces out of east and south Ukraine. However, the Ukrainian military encountered significant challenges in the form of heavily fortified Russian positions protected by extensive minefields, impeding their progress.

A Ukrainian official informed The Washington Post in July that the Western-supplied de-mining equipment had proven to be slow, noisy, and easily destroyed by Russian forces. The same official mentioned that Ukraine had received only approximately 15% of the specialized de-mining equipment requested from Western allies. In response, a US official acknowledged the request for equipment and stated that efforts were being made to address the timing and scale of the provision.

As Ukraine continues its efforts to overcome the Russian-backed obstacles, the issue of insufficient mine-clearing equipment remains a significant hurdle. The call for advanced technology to counter and breach the extensive Russian minefields underscores the need for continued support from Western allies to effectively aid Ukraine in its quest for territorial integrity and stability.