In the words of Karyna Khachaturyan: “When our work allows people to live peacefully, children to play, and living conditions to become safe again, it gives us the strength to keep operating”

Karyna joined the State Emergency Service in 2015. Her professional career began in the Fire Department, and after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, she made an important decision to undergo training and join the humanitarian demining team.

Could you tell us about your profession and what your work involves?
We work on demining territories – agricultural lands, forest belts, and entire settlements. There are five of us in the unit: myself, a senior deminer, a deminer, and two deminer-drivers. We operate wherever the war has left its mark, helping people return to a safe and peaceful life. I’m originally from the Dnipro region and live in Kryvyi Rih, but our team often works in other areas as well – in the Kharkiv and Kherson regions. Each area has its own story, its own painful past, but we all share one goal to make these places safe again.

What motivated you to join demining? How did your professional career in this field begin?
Ever since school, I’ve dreamed of helping people. I wanted my work to truly make a difference. After finishing school, I enrolled at the Higher Vocational School of the Lviv State University of Life Safety in Vinnytsia. My professional journey began in the fire service – I first worked as a firefighter. When Russia’s full-scale invasion started, my father went to war and was seriously wounded. Around that time, the State Emergency Service began expanding its demining departments, and I decided to join them. I felt that I had to be useful – to help our people and to serve my country.

How long did the training last, and how prepared did you feel for real work in the field?
I initially studied within the State Emergency Service and obtained a degree in fire safety, which I applied in my work. Later, I retrained at the humanitarian demining center, which was then based in the Kharkiv region. After completing my training, I was appointed to a new position as Head of the Pyrotechnic Operations Unit of the Pyrotechnic Operations Group within the Pyrotechnic Operations, Underwater and Humanitarian Demining Division. I had to learn everything again – from scratch. The training lasted three months; it was a shortened program due to the situation in the country. I started with no prior knowledge in this field and there was a lot of information to absorb, but everyone in the team supported and guided me.

How did your family and friends react to your choice?
My family was very concerned at first. Of course, it was difficult for them to accept my decision. They did not want me to do that because it was dangerous. However, it was hard to stop me – I knew exactly what I wanted. Eventually, everyone accepted it, even though their anxiety never went away. Now they're used to it, but they still worry quietly. Especially when I go on rotation. That anxiety is always there.

Do you remember your first demining case?
To be honest, I don't remember it. However, I remember my first rotation well. We were based in the Kharkiv region at that time. It was my first experience in the field. Fortunately, I worked with experienced deminers. They supported me, guided me, and taught me everything I didn't know yet. Thanks to them, I quickly adapted to the work and realized that I had found my place.

Having started as a deminer, you have grown in this field. What has your professional path in demining been like?
Yes, of course, I have certainly developed in my profession. Every day brings something new – I am constantly learning, getting new information, and gaining experience. In this job, it couldn't be any other way – every trip, every task brings new knowledge. The position I came to is still mine today and I am growing every day – in practice, in skills, in self-confidence.

What does your working day look like? What are your daily responsibilities and working conditions?
We have a typical five-day working week. We arrive at 8 a.m., and if there are requests from the public or letters requesting surveys of areas, we go out there and operate. After we come back, we still have to complete all the documents, which means that the working day does not end immediately after leaving the field – there is still paperwork to do. If there are no external requests, we work in our office: we keep the premises in order, check and manage the material resources, and conduct training sessions with the personnel. No one here sits idle – there is always work to be done, and there is always something that needs attention.  

Your profession may seem extremely dangerous to other people. How did you manage to overcome your fears?
Fear is always present, and that's normal. If it did not exist, it would be dangerous. It helps you assess a situation clearly and act appropriately, rather than simply running through a minefield because you are not afraid. At first, I was worried because I had practically no experience. I was afraid of doing something wrong, not knowing something, or not having enough time. But we have a very good team – experienced deminers are always ready to advise and help if necessary. Experience comes with time, and many actions eventually become automatic. The key is to make a plan of action, proceed cautiously, and never rush.

What stereotypes have you faced as a woman in this profession?
Of course, sometimes I’ve heard that this is not a woman's job, that I shouldn't be here. But I guess I’m lucky to have a good team, and I know how to communicate with people – I haven’t had any problems in that regard. I have always been well respected, and I strive to work on an equal basis with everyone. I never say, “I am a woman, I cannot do this,” because the work is the same for everyone. Today, there are many professions where women successfully replace men, and demining is not an exception.

What is your equipment like? Are the uniforms and protective gear comfortable, especially for women?
For field missions, I have a body armor vest, helmet, and protection for my neck, chest, and groin area. If we're dealing with cluster munition or a self-destruct mechanism, we put on a special EOD suit – it's the only way to approach such items safely. I know that there are body armor vests designed for women, but we don't have them yet. I didn't find the regular body armor vest particularly uncomfortable. I’ve seen women's body armor, and our leadership plans to order them for us and our women medics. I can't say yet how comfortable they are in practice, but they will probably be a bit more comfortable. They have a soft inner lining, so you don't feel the heavy plates directly on your body. Overall, comfort also depends on each person's physiology.

What motivates you?
What motivates me most is that I understand what we are working for. When we clear an area from mines or survey a field upon request, it is important to know that, once our work is done, people will be able to use their land safely. And what inspires us most is when, after our work in the communities, people can live peacefully, children can play, and living conditions become safe again. That is what gives us the strength to do our work.

What helps you stay productive after tough working days?
I try to recover both physically and mentally. I love going to the gym – working out helps me take my mind off things and clear my head. I also try to spend time with my family, because I don't see them very often, and meeting with friends really helps as well. Getting a good night’s sleep is also very important: I go to bed early so I can rest well and return to work feeling refreshed. If I have a day off, I try to spend it outdoors – walking in the park, going to the river, meeting up with friends. We discuss everything that is happening at work, and it helps me unwind. Then, on Monday, I go back to work with renewed energy.

What would you say to women and girls who want to get involved in demining but have doubts or think it's “not a woman's job”?
Anyone has the right to try. Everyone is in charge of their own life. If you sit around thinking, “I won't be able to do it” or “This isn't for me,” nothing will change. It's better to try: you can take training, basic courses, or at least talk to people who already work in this field. The most important thing is to be open to new experiences and figure out if it's right for you. Talking with experienced colleagues helps you believe in yourself and take that first step. Maybe this will be the start of your journey toward a job that changes people's lives for the better.

This publication has been produced with the financial support of the governments of Canada and Croatia, but this does not imply that the views and opinions expressed herein necessarily reflect the official position of the United Nations.