IGR Ukraine
IGR’s Ukrainian-registered and Ukrainian-led humanitarian mine action organization, based in Kharkiv.
Registered Ukrainian charitable organization · ЄДРПОУ 45793826
Current work
IGR Ukraine’s multidisciplinary team of Ukrainian staff and international volunteers works in Kharkiv Oblast, including frontline-adjacent communities affected by explosive contamination and damage to essential infrastructure.
Current activities include community liaison, humanitarian field assessments, first-aid and safety instruction, technical fieldwork, and deployment of the Zmiy remotely operated clearance platform. This work addresses immediate needs while informing the development of IGR Ukraine’s nationally accredited clearance operations.
In the field
Humanitarian assessments
In frontline-adjacent communities, IGR Ukraine documents how explosive hazards and damaged infrastructure affect residents, aid delivery, and essential services. The findings help focus mine action and related support where it can restore safe movement and reach people most effectively.
Community liaison
Our team meets with residents, local administrations, civil society, and other community stakeholders to understand how explosive contamination affects daily life, access, and recovery. Community liaison keeps technical planning grounded in local priorities and conditions.
Medical and safety training
IGR Ukraine delivers medical and safety training for civilians, humanitarian teams, emergency responders, veterans, and security personnel. Courses range from ACS STOP THE BLEED® and foundational first aid to trauma care and Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC)-aligned instruction for high-risk environments.
Courses combine classroom instruction, hands-on practice, scenarios, and skills assessment. Content can include casualty assessment, hemorrhage control, wound packing, tourniquet use, airway and chest trauma management, casualty movement, and evacuation. Programs can be tailored for NGOs, public institutions, emergency services, and security sector organizations. Qualified medical professionals can support delivery, while donors can help fund training materials, medical consumables, and course delivery for Ukrainian participants.
Mechanical Demining
IGR Ukraine deploys the Zmiy, a remote-controlled mechanical demining machine developed and manufactured in Ukraine by Rovertech. Operating in Kharkiv Oblast, the Zmiy clears mines and vegetation while personnel remain at a safer distance, with a capacity of up to 2.5 hectares per day.
Using the Zmiy reflects IGR Ukraine’s commitment to Ukrainian-led solutions. Locally developed equipment can be maintained, repaired, and supported inside the country—combining Ukrainian engineering with the operational experience needed to address Ukraine’s contamination at scale.
National accreditation
IGR Ukraine is completing Ukraine’s national accreditation process for five humanitarian mine action activities, with completion targeted for September 2026. Accreditation will allow IGR Ukraine to plan, manage, and conduct clearance operations under its own Ukrainian authorization.
Local leadership
Executive Director, IGR UA · Appointed 2025
Olha Ilchenko leads IGR Ukraine’s field activities, national accreditation, and development of its first operational demining team. Her background spans diplomacy, mine action, community engagement, and technical training delivered for Ukrainian national authorities.
She is helping establish professional pathways for Ukrainian veterans and women entering the demining sector while building a Ukrainian organization prepared to manage independent clearance operations.
Ukrainian-led operations
IGR Ukraine is preparing to recruit, train, equip, and employ an eight-person Ukrainian demining team. The team will create professional pathways for Ukrainian veterans and women entering the sector.
An initial $20,000 launch target will provide uniforms, personal protective equipment, detectors, and initial salaries for the team.
Donations supporting IGR Ukraine are currently received and administered by Invictus Global Response, a U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Gifts may be specifically designated for IGR Ukraine, and all current public donations support IGR’s work in Ukraine.
Personnel
We welcome expressions of interest from experienced international volunteers and Ukrainians who want to contribute to humanitarian mine action. Ukrainian veterans and women seeking a pathway into the sector are especially encouraged to contact us.
We are interested in hearing from demining and EORE specialists, medics, community liaison personnel, and operations and logistics professionals.
Express your interestSupport