site.btaDanger of Mines is Main Danger from War in Ukraine, Says Bulgarian Fleet Admiral

Seventeen sea mines have been found and destroyed by the naval forces of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkiye since the three countries established the Black Sea Mine Action Group on January 11, 2024, Flоtilla Admiral Velko Velkov said on Monday in Burgas.  "The main danger for us as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine are the mines. The peculiarity is that they are small, difficult to detect, but they are no less dangerous," said Velkov.

Admiral Velkov pointed out that the action group has several tasks, one of which is the monitoring of the territorial water of the three countries, as well as the international water through which trade routes pass in the Black Sea in order to ensure the safety of shipping.

When asked if the mine threat remains constant or is diminishing, he said that mine counteraction continues even years later. "It has been like this in all wars so far. In our exercises up to this point, where our ships also participate, NATO mine countermeasures groups 1 and 2 are assisting," he noted, adding that they have been working constantly in the area since the First and Second World Wars and it cannot be said when the process will end.

Velkov said that no merchant ships have been injured until now, noting that 80% of Bulgaria's turnover passes through the ports of Varna and Burgas, therefore it is extremely important to guarantee freedom of navigation and the free movement of goods.

He also announced that Burgas is once again hosting the mine countermeasure exercise Poseidon 2024. In the exercise, four anti-mine ships, a Bulgarian frigate, a training and support ship, as well as a Romanian auxiliary and diving vessel will participate. There are diving groups from the USA, Italy, France and Turkey, Velkov added.