UKRAINE — A former United States Army special forces green beret with eight combat deployments to Afghanistan has just completed a personal mission to clear farmland of landmines in war-torn Ukraine.
Ryan Hendrickson has spent the last month searching for and diffusing hundreds of landmines left by the 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 the innocent local civilians who may unwittingly trigger them.
Originally from Oregon, Hendrickson has also completed enlistments in both the Navy and Air Force, and has been decorated 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, Hendrickson felt a calling to assist the people of Ukraine.
After helping with the humanitarian effort, Hendrickson started to clear farmland and rural dwellings of landmines.
“In Afghanistan, I had spent most of my time on combat missions clearing the route of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and mines as my … team would move to whichever target we had. I have found many IEDs and landmines during my eight deployments in Afghanistan.”
As the Ukrainians return to their homes in the unoccupied areas, they face the dangers of landmines on their properties. Farmers trying to enter their fields to sow and harvest crops face the dangerous possibility of hitting a landmine.
Ryan has also trained Ukrainian units how to use the mine detectors. | Ryan Hendrickson photo
Numerous tractors and other farm equipment have been blown up after hitting landmines, resulting in serious injuries to the drivers and deaths on occasion.
“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,” said Hendrickson.
He concentrated his efforts in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine where the fighting is currently at its most intense.
On one 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 Hendrickson. “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 dangers below the soil.
Even in Hendrickson’s experienced hands, the dangers of landmines can still strike.
“It really is a game of cat and explosive mouse. You’re scared, you’re anxious, you’re concentrated. You’re dealing with explosives. The good thing about it is, I can do all the right moves in the world. That one wrong move, I’m probably not going to know about it anyway.”
During August, Hendrickson and his helpers diffused and lifted 334 mines from various fields.
The mines he uncovers are handed over to the Ukrainian Army and the duds are detonated by Hendrickson or marked in the ground with co-ordinates recorded and sent to the army.
Now Hendrickson is returning home to recharge and prepare for his next mission, which he hopes will see him return to Ukraine for more landmine clearance.
“The donations are still coming in but I need to raise around $75,000 to take on another trip out,” he said. “Each mine detector costs $3,500. As well as removing landmines I also train Ukrainians on how to demine and use the mine detectors.
“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 demine 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 Hendrickson’s cause you can do so at https://linktr.ee/rmhendrickson.tipofthespear
