Last month, the World Food Programme (WFP) donated two “Zmiy” demining machines to MAG Ukraine.
Unveiled by Rovertech in 2024, the Ground Robotic Clearance System (GRCS), “Zmiy”, is specifically engineered to withstand both anti-personnel and anti-tank mine detonations, creating a safe zone for deminers by detonating mines rather than displacing or burying them. The machines will be deployed for operations in the Kharkiv region.
Designed to dramatically lower the cost of humanitarian demining, the system is forty times less expensive than comparable solutions, and fifteen times more economical to operate. The Zmiy can be easily transported and deployed within minutes, regardless of terrain. It also functions as an armoured mower, clearing dense or tall vegetation while safely destroying any mines in its path. The machine’s dual capability will streamline demining operations and enhance the safety of teams working in overgrown areas.
Borys Drozhak, co-founder of Rovertech and co-developer of Zmiy, said: "This equipment was specifically designed for the realities on the ground in Ukraine. We found a solution which is more affordable than classic alternatives, both in terms of maintenance and technical efficiency, making it a highly effective tool,” he said.
Vasyl Korenovskyi, Director of Rovertech, added: “We are very pleased to collaborate with MAG on this innovative project. Now, the Zmiy demining system — capable of withstanding tank mines and safely clearing explosive remnants — is available to a highly professional and well-known demining organisation.”
Jon Cunliffe, MAG's Country Director for Ukraine, said: “These additional assets will significantly strengthen our ability to accelerate demining activities on the ground. It is especially noteworthy that they are the result of Ukrainian specialists developing high-level technologies tailored to the Ukrainian context. We are grateful to our partner WFP, and to people like Borys for their willingness to support us in continuing our life-saving work.”
The World Food Programme has been supporting MAG in Ukraine since 2024, helping strengthen its capacity to conduct humanitarian demining operations.
Rovertech is a Ukrainian engineering company, established in 2023, focused on developing ground-based unmanned systems, especially in robotic demining and related technologies. The company co-founded Rovertech was Bohdan Zmii, a Ukrainian engineer, together with war veteran Vasyl Koreniovskyi; later Borys Drozhak joined as a co-founder and public representative. Rovertech’s technology has been recognised in international innovation competitions, emphasising the importance of accelerating humanitarian demining and scaling Ukrainian tech solutions for global partners.
