TL;DR
Ukrainian farmers are still cultivating their fields despite ongoing warfare, but face hazards like drone strikes, mines, and infrastructure destruction. The situation highlights the resilience and ongoing risks for Ukraine’s agriculture sector.
Ukrainian farmers continue working their fields despite the ongoing war, facing threats from drone attacks, mined land, and damaged infrastructure, according to recent reports and photographs.
Farmers across Ukraine, particularly in regions like Kherson, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhzhia, are still planting and harvesting crops amid active conflict zones. They encounter hazards such as Russian drone strikes, which have downed drones and left debris in fields, and the presence of landmines that pose risks to workers and machinery. Authorities and humanitarian groups are working to clear mines and provide protective measures, but dangers remain high.
Recent incidents include Russian drone strikes destroying farm buildings and killing livestock, such as a large pig farm in Kharkiv in October 2025. Farmers have also used electronic-warfare systems to down drones, and military units deploy reconnaissance drones from fields near the front lines. Despite these hazards, farming activities persist, driven by the need to sustain local economies and food production.
Why It Matters
This situation underscores the resilience of Ukraine’s agricultural sector amid war, which is vital for both national food security and local livelihoods. The continued farming despite threats also highlights the broader human and economic toll of the conflict, affecting Ukraine’s ability to produce crops and maintain rural communities. For more on the impact of the conflict, see this report.
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Background
Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s farmland has been heavily impacted by military activity, including shelling, drone attacks, and landmines. Efforts to clear mines and protect farmers have been ongoing, but many areas remain dangerous. The conflict has also led to fuel shortages, infrastructure damage, and increased costs for farmers, complicating their ability to operate normally. This ongoing struggle reflects the broader, persistent challenges faced by Ukraine’s agricultural sector during wartime. See this collection of photographs for more context.
“Civilians attempting to recover explosive fragments risk death; there have been fatal cases, including children.”
— Oleksii Poliakov, EOD specialist
“A Russian drone fragment fell in my field, but I continue farming, knowing the risks.”
— Viktor Tsvik, farm owner
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What Remains Unclear
It is not yet clear how widespread the damage from drone strikes and mines is across Ukraine’s agricultural regions or how long farmers can sustain operations under these conditions. The full extent of infrastructure recovery and mine clearance efforts remains uncertain.
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What’s Next
Next steps include intensified mine-clearing operations, increased protective measures for farmers, and monitoring of drone activity. International aid and Ukrainian government support are expected to focus on safeguarding agricultural zones to ensure continued food production.
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Key Questions
How are Ukrainian farmers managing to work despite the war?
Farmers are using protective equipment, electronic warfare systems to down drones, and participating in mine clearance efforts to continue farming activities amid ongoing threats.
What are the main dangers farmers face in these conflict zones?
The primary dangers include drone attacks, landmines, unexploded ordnance, and damage to infrastructure like roads and storage facilities.
How is the Ukrainian government supporting farmers during the conflict?
The government and humanitarian groups are working to clear mines, provide protective gear, and repair infrastructure, but challenges persist due to ongoing hostilities.
What is the impact of ongoing fighting on Ukraine’s food supply?
The conflict threatens crop yields and disrupts supply chains, potentially affecting domestic food security and international grain exports.
Source: The Atlantic
