Step by Step: Demining of a Kherson Region Hospital Has Begun

Demining operations have begun at the Vysokopillia Hospital in Ukraine’s Kherson region, which was damaged during the russian occupation. The work has been made possible thanks to contributions from partners and donors of UNITED24.

In 2022, the town of Vysokopillia was under occupation for more than 7 months. During that time, russian troops turned the local hospital into a military site, setting up a headquarters inside the building and using its basements to store ammunition. After liberation, the hospital grounds remained potentially hazardous, preventing any reconstruction efforts.

Today, deminers from the International Service Demining are working on-site. Funding raised through the Step by Step fundraiser enabled the launch of clearance operations.

During the process, sappers continue to uncover dangerous items. Among the findings was an F-1 combat grenade discovered in the basement sewage system.

According to Vitalii Karavaiev, CEO of the International Service Demining, the device had been deliberately placed:

“The grenade was deliberately placed and could not have ended up there by accident. The most dangerous thing is that it was live. If work had begun, people could have been seriously harmed.”

Before the full-scale invasion, the hospital provided medical care to residents of 22 surrounding villages and served as a vital healthcare hub for the community. Its restoration is essential for ensuring access to medical services.

“We are grateful to everyone who made it possible to involve sappers and start this work. The sooner the area is safe, the sooner the community can return to normal life. Without access to healthcare, there can be no future for the community,”

Vitalii Karavaiev.