Russia clears over 9,000 wartime bombs from Baltic Sea

More than 9,500 explosive devices dating back to the Second World War have been recovered from the seabed of the Baltic Sea, according to Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations.

A statement published on the ministry’s Telegram channel said that Russian emergency crews have been working for six years to clear the area near Baltiysk town, where a German barge sunk in 1945 lies broken at a depth of 17 metres, Caliber.Az reports.

The wreck and its surroundings are reportedly strewn with hundreds of thousands of munitions.

Divers from the "Leader" special risk rescue unit have been descending to retrieve the ordnance, which is then handed over to military engineers for safe transport and destruction at a designated range.

Officials added that inspectors from Russia’s State Inspectorate for Small Vessels (GIMS) are monitoring the area to prevent civilian vessels from entering the clearance zone.

By Aghakazim Guliyev