NATO forces destroy seven mines adrift in Black Sea

160802-N-TI017-267 BLACK SEA (August 2, 2016) The amphibious dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) leads a column of Romanian naval vessels during a photo exercise Aug. 2, 2016. Whidbey Island is deployed with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to support maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan R. McDonald/Released)

Drifting naval mines represent a threat to maritime traffic operating in the southwest region of the Black Sea, according to the NATO Shipping Centre (NSC), which earlier this month was moved to issue a direct warning to vessels transiting the area, with numerous instances recorded.

Issued on 12 September, the NSC stated that drifting naval mines had been “detected and deactivated” in the western Black Sea by “coastal nations authorities”, while there had been a confirmed sighting of another...

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