Following reports of an object resembling a mine encountered in the Bosphorus, vessel traffic was brought to a halt while authorities assessed the potential threat. This update came through official channels cited by TASS, referencing the press service of the Coast Guard. In a subsequent statement, the ministry confirmed that ship movements in both directions were suspended until officials could determine the situation’s safety and length of the disruption.
Earlier notices indicated that fishermen had observed a mine-like object near the Sarıyer-Türkeli anchorage area, triggering a precautionary response from maritime authorities. The discovery prompted a formal declaration from the Ministry of National Defense, detailing actions taken to neutralize the object and secure the surrounding waters.
On March 19, the Russian FSB issued a warning about mines reportedly laid by the Ukrainian Navy along the approaches to the ports of Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk, and Yuzhny. The alert noted that anchor mines could be displaced toward the Bosphorus and the broader Mediterranean basin if a cable were to snap or become entangled, potentially affecting navigation in the Black Sea for an extended period. This warning underscored the vulnerability of sea lanes and the potential for drifting hazards to threaten regional shipping routes.
Shortly thereafter, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged that the Ministry of Defense had taken decisive steps in response to information received from Ukraine regarding drifting mines in the Black Sea. The president’s remarks reflected a coordinated effort to monitor the situation, reinforce security measures for maritime traffic, and safeguard international commerce transiting these waters.