Ukrainian Navy Estimates: Black Sea Mine Clearance Could Last Decades
[51920] Ukrainian Navy Estimates: Black Sea Mine Clearance Could Last Decades
The spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy stated that after the end of the fighting, clearing the Black Sea of mines will be a prolonged process lasting many years with the assistance of NATO.
Ukrainian Navy Estimates: Black Sea Mine Clearance Could Last Decades
According to reports from the Ukrainian military administration, the process of clearing the Black Sea of naval mines after the end of hostilities is expected to be a large-scale and prolonged operation. Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, estimates that clearing key areas will take between 5 and 8 months, while completing the main operation will take between three and five years.
According to Оперативний ЗСУ, a channel identified with a clear pro-Ukrainian stance that emphasizes the need for the demilitarization of the sea, the work will not end there. The spokesperson noted that "the process will not end after that and may continue for decades," as residual explosives will continue to pose a long-term safety threat.
As part of the operational efforts, it was noted that a special headquarters has been established and designated officers have been trained, while assessing their compatibility for working with NATO partners. The Ukrainian Navy plans to turn the operation into an international effort with the participation of alliance countries from the region. According to Novini.LIVE, a channel providing regular updates from the field, opening the Bosphorus Straits for safe navigation will be possible only after mine-countermeasure ships join the cleanup efforts.