MApN: A drifting mine was detonated on the Black Sea coast
Articol de Radio România Actualităţi, 13 August 2024, 16:14
The Romanian Naval Forces carried out a controlled explosion of a drifting mine near the Black Sea coast on Tuesday, the Romanian Defense Ministry announced.
Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have formed a joint task force to defuse the stray mines, which began floating in the Black Sea after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
The Romanian Defense Ministry said its navy was alerted by local officials on Tuesday morning about an unidentified object that washed ashore near Grindul Chituc in southeastern Romania.
The area is part of the Danube Delta, which Romania shares with Ukraine.
Over 100 drifting mines have been discovered and destroyed.
"By examining the photographs taken on the spot, the object is most likely a YaRM-type anti-landmine", the ministry said in a statement. YaRM mines are normally placed in the shallow waters of coastal areas, beaches and the banks of rivers and lakes to prevent boats and other amphibious vehicles from landing.
The Black Sea is crucial for the transportation of grain, oil and petroleum products and is shared by Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia and Turkey, as well as Ukraine and Russia.
Since the start of the war, more than 100 drifting mines have been discovered and destroyed, the Romanian Navy said, Reuters reports.
Translated by: Radu Matei
