Two naval mines diffused in three days, minister responds to rumors blaming Ukraine

The mine located in the Bosphorus

Turkey's Underwater Defense (SAS) teams defused a mine found off the coast of Igneada close to the country's maritime border with Bulgaria, the Ministry of National Defense has announced.

"The mine detected off the coast of Igneada on March 28, 2022, was neutralized by SAS teams," the ministry said on Twitter.

Turkiye's Underwater Defense teams neutralizing mine found off coast of Igneada https://t.co/REjEzzzaWh pic.twitter.com/lmn6A0hBAk

— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) March 28, 2022

This is the second mine after another was deactivated in İstanbul's Bosphorus over the weekend after causing the brief closure of the strait.

Commenting on rumors that the mines were laid by Ukraine to deter Russia's attacks in the ongoing war might drift across the Black Sea, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar said both sides had been notified and that coordination is ongoing.

Recently, Russia's intelligence service warned that 420 naval mines off the coast of Ukraine were set loose and drifting towards the west of the Black Sea and towards the Bosphorus.

Ukraine accused Russia of placing mines around the ports of Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk ve Yuzhny.

It is reported that the stray mines are Russia-made "YM" and "YRM" mines.

(VK)