On May 15, specialists of Ukraine’s Navy extracted and neutralized two russian anchored mines. It was reported by the press department of the South Operational Command. These two mines were washed ashore in Odesa Oblast.
According to the Ukrainian Institute of Black Sea Strategic Studies, russians planted about 400 anchored mines in the Black Sea and accused Ukraine of having done so. Some mines broke off from their anchors and drifted to the coasts of Romania and Bulgaria in late March.
On March 26, the Turkish government was forced to stop vessel traffic in Bosporus Strait after detecting a stray old-model sea mine. The press department of the Turkish Navy stated that russia’s invasion of Ukraine affects the safety in the Black Sea region directly and has effectively paralyzed the free navigation of all Black Sea countries.
According to Odesa Oblast Military Administration, the holiday season in the region has already been disrupted due to mines planted at sea. It affects the region’s economy directly.
In addition, russia’s Black Sea Navy blocks the Ukrainian seaports.
According to Serhii Bratchuk, spokesperson for Odesa Oblast Military Administration, it creates problems not only for Ukraine but also for the international economy. For instance, the termination of grain deliveries from Odesa’s seaport to the Middle East and North Africa can give rise to a food crisis in the affected countries.
