Slovenia donation buys demining vehicles for Ukraine
The demining units of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service have received three new special-purpose vehicles thanks to a €1.5 million donation by the Slovenian government. The equipment was handed over during Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon's visit to Ukraine, CE Report quotes The Slovenia Times.
The Ukrainian-made Kozak PM-L specialized off-road trucks are designed to transport special equipment, carry out demining operations, and safely transport small explosive objects to destruction sites.
"With these new vehicles your service will be even better equipped to perform its vital tasks. Clearance of mines and explosives is essential for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine," Fajon said at the 17 January ceremony.
This is the second transfer of equipment purchased with funds provided by Slovenia after the State Emergency Service received two tractors for transporting demining vehicles last October, according to Ukrainian news outlet Rubryka.
"This will help significantly reduce the risks to the lives of our sappers and make the process of demining explosives faster and more reliable. We are grateful for your support, which allows us to work more effectively even in wartime," head of the State Emergency Service Andrii Danyk said.
The €1.5 million donation, based on an intergovernmental agreement signed in late 2023, is just the latest aid by Slovenia, which has so far provided €15 million in humanitarian and development aid through various mechanisms, according to the Foreign Ministry.
In the early stages of the war Slovenia had donated significant amounts of Soviet-era equipment to Ukraine, including dozens of tanks, but its stockpile of weapons was quickly depleted and so the focus shifted on other types of aid.
