In brief
As the Black Sea becomes a battleground for maritime navigation, Ukrainian Navy divers meticulously work to clear deadly sea mines and unexploded bombs. Their efforts are essential for ensuring safe passage for merchant ships crucial to Ukraine's economy. Despite the danger posed by these remnants of war, the work of these brave divers is vital to maintain the viability of maritime routes. The process is slow and requires extreme caution, often taking many hours to approach and neutralize each device.
The Black Sea is littered with deadly weapons. But no one knows how many – or where they are. When we approach it, we should be quiet, we should be slow – and we should be very accurate, says Vitalii, a Ukrainian Navy diver, as he describes swimming through dark waters towards explosive devices resting on the sea floor. Vitalii is part of a team of 20 tasked with de-mining areas of the Black Sea still under Ukraine's control. Mines pose an insidious and long-lasting danger, remaining active for decades. The sea mines laid by Moscow at the start of the full-scale invasion are no exception. The risks became tragically clear last summer when three swimmers were killed by mines off Odesa's coast.Commander Fox estimates that thousands of mines and other unexploded ordnance litter the seafloor, washed into the Black Sea after the Kakhovka dam was blown up in 2022. If we're talking about unexploded ordnance in general - missiles, artillery shells, aerial bombs - the total number will be many times higher, he says. Despite the risks, sea traffic continues, crucial for Ukraine's economy. There is parity in maritime capability, with Ukrainian forces adapting quickly to counter Russian efforts, resulting in a dangerous but necessary dance of tactics at sea.De-mining the sea is fraught with danger and takes time; it can take up to 20 meters to safely approach a mine, with divers moving slowly and carefully to avoid detonation. One second you move, then you stay still for some time, and you repeat this until you reach the object, Vitalii explains. Each mission can take two days and involves significant coordination under the threat of further attacks.The stakes are high as Ukraine's maritime exports play a critical role in its economy, contributing to a revenue stream of approximately $9 billion. The ongoing war makes these divers' jobs even more essential as they strive to clear the seabed to keep shipping lanes open and safe. Despite the dangers, the team continues their work: moving one second at a time, waiting patiently as they clear the way for vital maritime traffic.
