TR 
EN
The drifting moored mines which emerged in March of last year and became a nightmare due to the Russian-Ukrainian war, continue to be a threat, although not very often mentioned at the moment. I would like to share the points I have observed from the outside and my comment on this subject.
Foreign open sources claim that approximately 40 moored mine cases of Russian origin which were cut from their wires and drifted across the Black Sea in the last year were exploded. The number of detections along the coasts of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Georgia are partially known. I refer to as partially because some of them are listed in the press as mine-like objects, and foreign agencies can add them to the total number of mines. However, what has emerged off the coast of Ukraine, due to the conditions of the war, contains a situation in need of further confirmation. Of course, the authorities have an exact number. As of the beginning of this year, it was reported in the press that a total of 4 drifting moored mines were found and exploded off the coast of Turkey.
One of the parties in the battle may have laid these mines for offensive purposes, the other for defending its own shores. A total of 420 mines were reported to have been laid. There may also be some bottom mines among them. However, our problem is the risk posed by some of the moored mines laid in the north which their wires were cut drifted to the Black Sea.
Let’s start with the broken wires first. The breaking off wires attached to the moored mine case may result from poor maintenance and/or cutting of the wire by sweeping/hunting techniques during a minesweeping/hunting operation. Because those whose wires have been severed cannot be collected or destroyed for any reason, mine cases may have been drifted freely following the operation. Another option would be to drop the mine with cutting the wire on the intented target area for manipulation purposes.
When we look at the issue from the perspective of those who have laid mines; In the early stage of the threat, it was asserted that according to the 1907 Hague Convention, the moored mines, coming to surface should neutralize themselves.
Yes, that's right. But these are old-style Russian mines, and my predictions that such a thing might not happen turned out to be correct. The authorities declared that none of the mines under investigation contained such a mechanism. On the other hand let alone such a mechanism, it was seen that even the metal sheaths on the horns that would provide contact in some of the mine cases were not removed. We understand this from the photographs of the mine detected by the Romanians. It is very clear that they were laid in a hurry.
How does a moored mine neutralize itself when its wire breaks off and comes to the surface?
Let me explain without going into technical details. Modern moored mines might have systems that detect the difference in pressure relative to the depth in the mine case and can retract the driven detonator when it is detected. Even if the mine case hits a ship, it will have no effect in other word the mine will not explode when it comes out of surface because the detonator will be left behind.
On the other hand, another mechanism comes into play when the mine case is on the surface is activated by the melting of a chemical substance in it or by the working of a postponement clock; it can detonate a second detonator in a time-dependent manner. The purpose of this is to make a hole in the case and fill the water to it, in order to completely neutralize the system.
Of course, these are all academic terms. Is there any assurance? Obviously not. We experienced it wasn’t. If these mechanisms are absent and the mine is not noticed, it will continue to be a threat depending on the battery life.
When a drifting moored mine is seen, regardless of its age or type any assumptions shouldn’t be followed to act. As a matter of fact, it is being done with this principle. Our mine warfare divers complete the task in-place immediately.
What kind of risk does the Black Sea face from other mines that cannot be detected but are present elsewhere in the Black Sea or that are likely to detach from the laid fields in the north?
If moored mines were discovered underwater in the areas where they were layed and polluted a channel or field, a percentage of risk could have been obtained by using traditional calculations based on the number of mine cases that emerged after the operation. However, we face with floating and drifting moored mine cases that can be found everywhere, and they are very difficult to detect at night. In that case, as long as there are mine-polluted marine areas in the north, we can expect a constant risk based on day and night visibility and variable surface environment conditions. This risk will exist as long as the war continues.
On the other hand, continuing of the operation and coordination with the littoral countries appear to have ensured keeping the risk to a minimum level in terms of our coasts and the approaching waters of the Istanbul Strait. However, keeping the risk to a minimum does not eliminate the danger. In terms of being cautious we will continue to stand firm.
Our mine fleet is a well-established and skilled fleet. I wish all of our naval and air units fair winds and following seas.
Note: This article was published in Milliyet Newspaper on March 28, 2023.
References:
‘‘Video: Floating Naval Mine Explodes on a Beach in Georgia’’, The Maritime Executive, February 14, 2023, https://maritime-executive.com/article/video-floating-naval-mine-explodes-on-a-beach-in-georgia (Last Access Date: March 21, 2023)
‘‘Ordu’da denizde mayın endişesi’’, Hürriyet Newspaper, March 02, 2023, https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/orduda-denizde-mayin-endisesi-42228060 (Last Access Date: March 21, 2023)
Babacan, Nuray, ‘‘Bakan Akar’dan çarpıcı brifing: Mayınlar kasıtlı bırakılmış olabilir’’, Hürriyet Newspaper, April 10, 2022, https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/bakan-akardan-carpici-brifing-mayinlar-kasitli-birakilmis-olabilir-42040385 (Last Access Date: March 21, 2023)
‘‘Karadeniz’de Kaç Mayın İmha Edildi?’’, Habertürk Tv Youtube, February 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxGDz03wD80 (Last Access Date: March 22, 2023)
