Turkish Cargo Ship Hits Mine in the Black Sea

Marine and security sources announced that a Turkish-flagged cargo ship collided with a mine today, Thursday, in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania, sustaining minor damage, but the crew is safe. The British maritime security company Ambrey reported based on information received that the ship has resumed sailing, adding that no injuries have been reported. This incident is among the first in several months where a vessel has hit a naval mine. Insurance companies classify the Black Sea as a high-risk area, and drifting mines continue to pose a threat. A source from the Ukrainian government speculated that "it could likely be a mine from World War II, or mines left there last year," declining to provide further comments. The British government stated on Wednesday that Russia may use naval mines to target civilian ships in the Black Sea, including placing them near Ukrainian ports. Ambrey noted today that the incident occurred on the same day the company informed its clients about the potential deployment of additional Russian naval mines to disrupt Ukrainian grain exports.