site.btaU.S. 6th Fleet Commander Says 150 Floating Mines Detected in Black Sea Since Russia Invaded Ukraine

U.S. 6th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Thomas Ishee Monday said that 105 floating mines had been detected in the Black Sea since Russia invaded Ukraine, with at least five vessels affected. Speaking in Varna with the Bulgarian Navy Commander, Rear Adm. Kiril Mihaylov, he gave details of Exercise Sea Breeze, which will take place in Bulgarian territorial waters.

The exercise involving 13 countries, including Ukraine and Japan, will continue until September 20. A Fleet Commanders' Conference will also be held. Rear Adm. Mihaylov said the main objectives are to train tactics, techniques and procedures related to floating and bottom mine counter-measures. Vice Adm. Ishee said the aim is for the countries to improve their ability to work together and to exercise different tactics for naval mine demolition. Each nation will demonstrate how it locates and neutralizes floating mines, Ishee said, adding that some of the operations during the exercise will take place ashore, where equipment will be demonstrated.

Rear Adm. Mihaylov said the second activation of the Mine Counter-measures Task Group Black Sea (MCM Black Sea) established by Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkiye in January will take place in late September. For 10 days, the vessels will participate in a mine counter-measures exercise in Turkiye. Then the Group will reform again in November for the Romanian-led Exercise Poseidon.

Vice Adm. Ishee said the US has had patrol aircraft monitoring the Bulgarian and Romanian waters for more than a year, the aim being to enhance the security of the maritime environment. In this way dangers, including floating mines, are detected. He also said that the projects for the modernization of the Bulgarian Navy, as well as of the Air Force and the Land Forces, will help to expand cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States.

Rear Adm. Mihaylov stressed the Bulgarian Navy is working very well with the US in various security areas and the relationship will deepen in the future.