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Following two naval mines spotted in the İstanbul Strait and off the coast of İğneada since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war on February 24, a third mine was observed in Kocaeli's Kefken today (April 6).
While the area where the mine was located was cordoned off for security, the boats and ships in the vicinity were warned about the situation.
In a statement released by the Ministry of National Defense, it was announced that the Underwater Defense (SAS) teams affiliated with the Naval Forces Command intervened in the mine.
According to the Ministry statement, after the maritime patrol aircraft detected that the object spotted in the sea was a mine, the area was cordoned off for security. The SAS teams of the Naval Forces were reportedly working to neutralize the mine as of 3 pm today.
Turkey "found and safely disposed of a sea mine off the Black Sea coast," the National Defense Ministry said in a statement later in the day.
There are around 420 mines
The intelligence agency of Russia made a statement a few days ago and announced that 420 mines planted off the coasts of Ukraine have broken off and were moving towards the western Black Sea and the straits. Afterwards, Russia sent a warning to the Black Sea Fleet with an "emergency code". It was warned that the mines could reach the İstanbul Strait and even the Mediterranean as a result of the current caused by the Danube.
The first naval mine was spotted off the İstanbul Strait on March 26. The second one was located off the coast of İğneada and diffused on March 28.
Ukraine accused Russia over the mine barriers placed around Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny ports.
The mines are known to be the Russia-made "YM" and "YRM" types. The cluster mines reportedly explode when touched. (HA/SD)
