Russian minesweepers navigate Black Sea amid Ukrainian mine threats

Bulgarian Military carries an article about intensified activity by Russian minesweepers, Caliber.Az reprints the article.

The Black Sea has recently seen an increase in activities by Russian minesweepers.

They have been conducting reconnaissance searches for mines that were laid by Ukraine along commercial shipping routes, a particularly real and present hazard.

On February 13, the Black Sea Fleet‘s information assurance department reported this news, with quotes appearing in the Russian media outlet Izvestiya.

“Due to the persisting mine threat, courtesy of the Ukrainian side’s activities in mining certain coastal sections and water areas, the Black Sea Fleet’s anti-mine forces have been busy. They’ve been conducting reconnaissance searches for mines within the Kerch-Enikal channel as well as other river routes frequently used by commercial shipping vessels in the Black Sea,” the statement detailed. 

Notably, these minesweeper crews, which form part of a naval minesweeping group, have been honing their skills. They’ve been practicing various strategies and techniques for both fielding and demolishing these minefields, at all times of day.

Last month

On January 24, the Black Sea Fleet’s mine defense ship team undertook an underwater expedition utilizing an unmanned submersible vehicle in a bid to search for mines. 

In this reconnaissance expedition, the mine defense team exercised the practice of locating submerged objects within a singular anti-mine perimeter. They utilized cutting-edge sonar technology in tandem with a state-of-the-art remote-controlled underwater drone.

Regional mine-cleaning operation

It’s no secret that amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine, both factions have deployed sea mines as defensive tactics in the Black Sea. While Russian forces work diligently to disarm Ukrainian mines, NATO is reciprocating this endeavor by removing Russian mines lodged off the Black Sea shoreline.

In light of this, let’s jog our memory and revisit the tripartite pact formed between Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria on January 11, solidified in Istanbul. This agreement dictates that the Turkish military will take the lead in a joint effort to strip the Black Sea of these explosive hazards. 

The significance of the Black Sea shouldn’t be underestimated, particularly given the current Russia-Ukraine conflict. This sea serves as a crucial transportation channel for the export of Ukrainian grain—a fiscal lifeblood that bolsters homefront defense operations in Ukraine’s struggle against Russia.

Keep this critical fact in mind: even though Türkiye, Romania, and Bulgaria are all NATO constituents, this demining operation in the Black Sea is not guided by NATO directives. Industry experts view this as a forward-thinking initiative taken by the three Baltic countries with extensive Black Sea coastlines, designed to ensure the safety of commercial maritime routes.

Mines jeopardize neutral countries

Active mines in the Black Sea are currently a major concern as they interfere with trade routes, limiting Ukraine’s grain exports. Moreover, they pose an imminent danger to non-combatant countries like Romania and Bulgaria, due to their geographical proximity. As a result, these nations are unintentionally becoming entangled in the complex web of geopolitical tensions. 

That’s why the joint demining initiative launched by these three Balkan countries is of critical importance. For Romania, it offers an excellent chance to put to use its latest additions in defense technology – two minesweepers by the names of HMS Blythe and HMS Pembroke, acquired from Great Britain in 2021. 

Purchased even before the turmoil escalated, these cutting-edge vessels have been seamlessly assimilated into the Romanian fleet by the sagacious government. Moreover, thanks to their new maritime bases in Romania, the minesweepers can freely enter and exit the Black Sea. Given these benefits, it won’t be surprising if the Romanian capital Bucharest easily obtains the required permissions from Ankara to ensure the sail of these vessels through the Bosphorus into the Black Sea.