Post by FSD (Fondation suisse de déminage)

"I knew that forest like the back of my hand; every path, every birch grove. And that was exactly what put me at ease. I thought: this is my place, I know everything here. But the war changed everything. The very same places where I grew up, where I picked mushrooms my whole life, had become dangerous. And I didn't realise it. A familiar place dulls your vigilance. That is the most dangerous thing of all." For most of her life, Kateryna Serhiivna Zhurko spent her mornings in the forests around her village in Chernihiv Oblast, especially after retiring and returning to her childhood home. In August 2022, believing the area was safe, she set out on her bicycle to look for mushrooms. Instead, she triggered a tripwire and an explosive device detonated. Today, Kateryna shares her story to remind others that places that once felt familiar can become dangerous after conflict. Even if an area is well known, it should never be entered until it has been officially declared safe. To help prevent accidents, FSD's risk education teams work with communities across Chernihiv Oblast, sharing life-saving information while clearance teams continue making forests, fields and villages safe again. Project supported by the United States 🇺🇸 U.S. Department of State, U.S. Embassy Kyiv. #Ukraine #Recovery #CommunitySafety #HumanitarianDemining #RiskEducation #MineAction