Ukrainian Navy estimates timeframe needed for Black Sea demining
Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk (Photo: facebook.com Taclbery)
The Naval Forces are planning a large-scale demining operation in the waters of the Azov and Black Seas. According to the planning, demining trade routes could take up to six months, states the spokesperson for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"We're planning an operation to demine the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. We've established a headquarters, and the operation itself is in the planning stages. Based on our planning, we estimate that demining maritime communication routes will take three to five months," the spokesperson states.
According to Pletenchuk, the global demining operation could last for several years since they are currently encountering armaments dating back to the First and Second World Wars.
The Navy spokesperson notes the use of specialized drones for sea demining.
"We maintain a constant dialogue with our foreign partners on this issue, and work in this direction continues consistently—be it training, gaining experience, or the demining process itself," he emphasizes.
Demining the Black Sea
Ukraine's demining problem is becoming increasingly acute as Russia continues to shell territories, contaminating them with mines. Additionally, mines are also polluting the waters of the seas.
Due to this, Ukraine continues to strengthen cooperation with NATO member countries regarding demining the Black Sea waters.
Recently, it was reported that Bulgaria, as one of the Black Sea countries, might assist Ukraine in demining the Black Sea waters.
We also reported that in October, off the coast of Romania in the Black Sea, a cargo ship under the flag of Türkiye was detonated by a mine. As a result of the incident, the ship sustained minor damage.
