Head of ASAM TÜRK DEGS (Turkish Maritime and Global Strategies Center) and Istanbul Topkapı University Faculty Member, Former Rear Admiral Assoc. Dr. Cihat Yaycı made special evaluations for the Milli Gazete against the mine threat that exists in the Black Sea and threatens Turkey's territorial waters due to the Ukraine-Russia War.
FREE MINES CARRY A GREAT DANGER
Will the mines laid by Russia reach the Bosphorus and the Mediterranean?
According to the announcement of the Russian Hydrological Institute dated March 18, 2022, the mines laid by Ukraine in the port areas of Odessa, Ochakov, Chernomorsk and Yuzhny began to move uncontrollably, getting rid of their anchors due to the storm. The estimated number of mines is around 420. It is not known how many of them were broken off or left as stray mines. We can easily learn from our own history how dangerous a mine is. During the period of 26 mines laid by the Nusret Minelayer, he sank the world's strongest and largest armada. As mentioned above, a mine is extremely cheap, but dangerous and destructive ammunition. Mines are of 'YM' and 'YRM' type. YM” type sea mine was started to be produced by the USSR in the Second World War. It was used for the first time in the Gulf of Finland. The mine, which has an overall volume of 172 kg, contains 20 kg of TNT explosives. It is placed in the water at a depth of 1-2 meters. When the mine, which works on the principle of contact, explodes, it damages or sinks the ships with the effect of fragments. “YRM” mine type is used to prevent removal from the sea. Again, such mines produced in the USSR period weigh about 30 kg. The amount of active explosive is around 3 kg. The mine exploding on contact is piecemeal and has the purpose of destroying the enemy's living forces. Both mine types are known to be used by Russia and Ukraine.
On March 18, 2022, Russia has also issued an official "Coastal Warning" announcement via the international NAVAREA system in the face of the danger of stray mines in the Black Sea waters. This situation is similar to giving a bomb threat to the plane. You cannot take risks and remain indifferent. It requires immediate initiation of necessary mine-seeking, scanning and hunting activities, taking it seriously. I think that the ships of our mine fleet have been transferred to the region as of March 18, 2022 and have taken the necessary measures, because in such cases, there will be no savings. These munitions, which are called stray mines in military terminology, are very dangerous and risky weapons. So that; 1907 Hague Conventions 8th Protocol limited the use of mines and prohibited the laying of sea mines off the coasts and ports. Laying mines imposes a huge responsibility on the country that lays it. The mines giving the impression of being broken pose serious risks for the Black Sea and the Straits. These mines, which are called vagrant mines and are broken or deliberately removed, move stray in the sea and create a great danger in the Black Sea and the Bosphorus. Because the general current in the Black Sea is towards the Bosphorus with the influence of the Danube River. That is, if there are any, there is a high probability that stray mines will drift towards the Bosphorus and pose a danger.
DUE TO THIS ISSUE, THE BLACK SEA TAKES A BIG WOUND
What kind of danger awaits us if such a situation occurs?
In our Straits and in the Black Sea, where 40 to 50 thousand ships pass annually, the commercial life suffers a great blow. On the other hand; regional security is completely at risk. As a sea of peace, the Black Sea basin, where trade, diplomacy and cultural relations have been strong for years, also suffers a great wound due to this issue. Relationship between countries is built on tension. Reports here must be taken seriously. In summary; due to possible mines in the region; security, economic and military risks await. In the Black Sea, where trade security will be damaged, our economic activities in the context of maritime transportation come to a standstill. Our perception of threat is negatively diversified due to the tension created by the mines militarily, on the other hand, a negative effect arises in our diplomatic relations. Our preparations for the energy basin in the region have come to an end. Such a thing would also damage the energy basin. At this point, 2 mines have already been detected on our shores. It is a dangerous situation. On the other hand, I would like to remind you of a sad event. On December 18, 1989, another such mine was caught in the net of a fishing boat sailing in the village of Rumeli Feneri in Sarıyer. According to eyewitnesses, the pieces were thrown up 60 meters at the time of the explosion. The death of the 4 fishermen on the boat shocked the village of Rumeli Feneri.
ALL NOTICES AND WARNINGS MUST BE CONSIDERED
Is it possible to detect and clear these mines?
The YM type sea mine was started to be produced by the USSR in the Second World War. It was applied for the first time in the Gulf of Finland. The mine, which has an overall volume of 172 kg, contains 20 kg of TNT explosives. It is placed in the water at a depth of 1-2 meters. Working with the principle of contact, when the mine detonates, it damages or sinks the ships with the effect of fragments. YRM mines are used to prevent landings from the sea. Again, such mines produced in the USSR period weigh about 30 kg. The amount of active explosive is around 3 kg. The mine exploding on contact is piecemeal and has the purpose of destroying the enemy's living forces. Although locating YM mines is somewhat successful with sonar systems, YRM mines are more difficult to detect due to their small size. Destroying or finding and clearing a mine is an activity that takes months or even years. Even recently, there are still sea mines from the First and Second World War in various parts of the world and can be newly destroyed. Such a process is quite demanding and screening activities should be carried out meticulously. Our country should also show great sensitivity and take into account all the warnings and warnings, because a mine is a risky weapon enough to sink a large ship.
On the other hand; In the Hague Convention, a mine is highly restricted and prohibited in ports and trade routes.
Sea Mines (Protocol VIII of the 1907 Hague Conventions):
(1) Mines; it is used only for legitimate military purposes, such as not giving naval areas to the enemy.
(2) Mines; will not be used unless they have an effective neutralization mechanism that works when they leave or control over them is lost.
(3) Floating mines (stray mines) may not be used unless they are directed against a military target and are rendered harmless within one hour of loss of control over them.
(4) The places where mines are laid will be recorded.
(5) The laying of mines should be done in such a way as to allow neutral ships to sail to the high seas and to keep routes on international straits and archipelago sea routes open.
(6) The purpose of neutralizing mechanisms, mines; to ensure that they do not damage the ships after they are out of the combatant's control. This is necessary to enable mine clearance after the end of hostilities.
States that use mine weapons by failing to meet the conditions specified in this convention commit war crimes. If we are talking about the existence of stray mines here, it means that those who used the mine gun committed war crimes.
In this case, the Turkish Navy has mine scanning and hunting systems and ships. The Turkish Naval Forces are highly trained and they have done and are doing what is necessary right after the announcement of the Russians. These ships carry out mine detection and influencing activities in areas where there is a high risk of mine detection and where traffic is heavy. If necessary, safe corridors can be created by making sure that there are no mines towards the entrance of the Bosphorus and by frequently performing mine search, scanning and hunting activities. We call this the scanned channel.
However, the first thing to do here is that if a state has laid a mine, it should explain this and at least notify the Black Sea riparian states of the number and quality of the mines, if any, and when they are broken.
SEA MINES HAVE GREAT DAMAGES TO THE NATURE
What danger do mines pose to marine life?
All such interventions carried out by human hands cause great harm to nature. The Black Sea is a natural geography that has a strong geological and biological diversity and even needs to be protected. Fish species and endemic creatures in the Black Sea are also likely to be affected by this negative situation. In the event of a possible explosion, these people, ships and trade will unfortunately experience the disaster in the creatures in the Black Sea. It is imperative that we evaluate its impact on the ecosystem not only by the impact of the explosion, but also by marine pollution and the risks it will pose.
In order to understand the mine risk correctly and to create a strong precaution, it is necessary to remember the following example well;
"One of the biggest accidents in the Bosphorus. On November 15, 1979, in front of Haydarpaşa, the Romanian flagged tanker Independenta collided with the Greek tanker Evriali, and 95 thousand tons of oil spilled into the sea, resulting in sea and environmental pollution and 43 sailors lost their lives."
The ship burned for weeks, the explosion almost created an earthquake effect in Istanbul, and the wreckage of the ship had not been lifted from Haydarpaşa for years.
The mine situation in the Black Sea region should be seen as a bomb threat made on an airplane. It is essential to take the necessary action quickly and not to let it go; Currently, Turkey has drilling and seismic exploration vessels in the Black Sea. On the other hand, the current created by the Danube River carries these mines directly to the Bosphorus. The precautions to be taken against this situation are clear; The mine search and scanning team of the Turkish Naval Forces is at the forefront of the forces with the highest capacity in this regard. By creating a scanned channel (safe corridor), the risk and danger in the region can be reduced to some extent. The subject of the measure is a very important requirement. Today, 3% of the world's oil trade takes place in the Black Sea basin and passes directly through our Straits. Turkey's wheat export and import depend on the ship traffic in the Black Sea. We make 85% of all our exports directly over the seas. The clearest point to be made about this is; “There should be no savings for the measure!”