One of the main threats in the Black Sea remains the danger of mines, stated the spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, Dmytro Pletenchuk, during a telethon broadcast.
"We have a lot of work in this regard, and we carry it out daily to ensure the safety of our export-import corridor. However, the Black Sea still needs a full-scale mine clearance operation. It has already been planned, the headquarters are established, and the crews of the ships are preparing. However, currently, due to the Montreux Convention, these ships cannot enter the waters of the Black Sea," said Pletenchuk.
He also noted that mines are a common problem for Ukraine and its neighbors in the Black Sea, including three NATO members - Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
According to Pletenchuk, Ukrainian crews, who were prepared to operate the ships Cherkassy and Chernihiv from the United Kingdom, have already undergone training.
"They are already in service. Last year, they received a Level One interoperability assessment with NATO countries. This year, we hope to receive the highest assessment - Level Two interoperability. In addition, three more ships are being prepared for transfer from the Netherlands and Belgium. And these crews are also continuing their training. In total, we plan to receive five ships, which are mine countermeasures vessels," Pletenchuk said.
Moreover, the spokesperson also described the situation in the Black and Azov Seas.
"The situation is currently stable; missile carriers are stationed at the base in Novorossiysk. In the waters of the Black Sea, near the coast, there is only the patrol yacht of the Russian FSB. There is no other activity observed in the Black Sea. One of the cruise missile carriers, which was undergoing trials in the Russian Federation, has left the waters of the Azov and Black Seas and is returning to the shipyard for completion," Pletenchuk said.
