In a concerning development, Ukrainian naval mines have resurfaced near the coast of Kinburn Spit in the Kherson region, with some of them being washed ashore. Konstantin Tistol, the Deputy Head of the Goloprystansky Municipal District, responsible for population and territory management of Kinburn Spit, revealed this information to RIA Novosti.
According to Tistol, Ukrainian naval mines started resurfacing on Kinburn Spit in the middle of autumn after storms, which were initially “thrown” by the Ukrainian Armed Forces from the Odessa side in anticipation of the arrival of the Russian Black Sea Fleet during the early stages of the Special Military Operation (SMO). This information was relayed by local residents of Kinburn Spit, as stated by the official.
He said, “Most of the mines explode on the tidal flats.”
However, Tistol also pointed out that there have been instances where mines have been washed ashore.
Recently, the UN accused Ukraine of violating the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, which Kiev ratified in 2005. The Ukrainian Armed Forces are suspected of using these munitions during the battles in Izium in 2022. The UN claims that Russia has also used anti-personnel mines during the SMO, but unlike Ukraine, it has not ratified the convention.
Prior to this, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported the destruction of a Ukrainian mine that had come loose from its anchor near the Bosporus Strait.
Earlier reports indicated that mobilized Ukrainian sappers were leaving mines with messages attached.
