Any monitoring mission deployed to observe an end to the hostilities in Ukraine is likely to incorporate a range of remote-sensing technologies to support its verification activities. Previous monitoring missions have relied primarily on satellite imaging, camera-drones, and stationary CCTV as technical tools to support onsite observers.
This policy brief by Dr Ben D.E. Dando, Dr Kjølv Egeland, and Dr Sebastian Schutte, finds that scientific advances and a growing availability of relevant data have made geophysical or ‘seismo-acoustic’ analysis a cost-effective means of complementing, backing up, and in some cases replacing other ceasefire monitoring technologies. Analysing small vibrations in the earth and/or air, a seismo-acoustic monitoring solution could help detect conflict-related explosions in all environments, including areas deep behind the prospective line of separation. Seismo-acoustic techniques could also help monitor the integrity of borders, demilitarised zones, or weapon stores.
