Russia Clears Mariupol and Sea of Azov Coastline of Naval Mines

May 26, 2022 (EIRNS)—The port of Mariupol has been completely cleared of mines and has fully returned to its normal operations, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said yesterday. “Measures to clear mines and to demilitarize the seaport of Mariupol—liberated from Ukrainian militants—in the Donetsk People’s Republic, have been completed, and the port has gone back to its regular operational activities,” he was quoted as saying by TASS.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported on May 24 that specialists from the Black Sea Fleet and field engineers had wrapped up their work to clear the Mariupol seaport zone of mines. Over 12,000 explosive devices and weapons abandoned by Ukrainian militants were uncovered and immobilized.

Russian personnel have also cleared approach canals and inland water areas of sunken vessels and other navigational obstacles, in addition to demilitarizing the port. Russia’s field engineers have also thoroughly de-mined the coastline of the Sea of Azov adjacent to the Mariupol seaport.