Cash boost will allow the charity to continue operations in the country for another two years

A Scottish charity has been given an additional £2 million of UK government funding to clear landmines in Ukraine.

The Halo Trust will be given the funding as part of a raft of support measures announced by foreign secretary Boris Johnson at the British embassy in Kiev, where he watched a mine clearance demonstration.

Landmines have been used extensively in the fighting in eastern Ukraine since it began in April 2014. At least 559 civilians have been killed or injured by the weapons, which are banned by 162 nations.

Halo Trust staff have been working in eastern Ukraine since November 2015, clearing mines and other unexploded munitions from areas near the front lines.

The charity said the extra cash will allow operations to continue for another two years.

Chief executive James Cowan said: “The UK’s support for Halo in Ukraine has allowed us to respond quickly to the needs of a population that wants to return to their homes and land.

“By getting to work swiftly, Halo is playing a major part in delivering stability in eastern Ukraine.”

The UK government has also announced funding of £500,000 for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, an intergovernmental organisation helping to rebuild Ukraine’s infrastructure.