The Black Sea is littered with deadly weapons. But no one knows how many – or where they are.
When we approach it, we should be quiet, we should be slow – and we should be very accurate, says Vitalii, a 31-year-old Ukrainian Navy diver describing how he navigates the treacherous underwater terrain filled with explosive devices.
Part of a 20-member team tasked with demining areas still under Ukraine's control, Vitalii's work is perilous yet vital. Less visible than traditional warfare, sea mines present one of the most insidious remnants of conflict, remaining active and deadly for decades. The mines, many of which were laid by Russian forces at the onset of their invasion, pose a significant threat, evident in last summer's tragic incident where three swimmers were killed by mines off the Odesa coast.
The team's commander, operating under the callsign Fox, estimates that thousands of sea mines litter the Black Sea. But the challenges don’t stop there: as conflicts continue, other munitions wash downstream to the sea, creating an even more hazardous environment for divers and shipping.
Despite the dangerous conditions, ship traffic in the Black Sea persists, and the removal of mines is essential for keeping critical shipping routes operational—especially for Ukraine's agricultural exports, which are vital for the nation’s economy.
With aerial threats ever-present, divers employ excruciatingly slow movements, using closed-circuit rebreathers to avoid creating bubbles that could alert mines to their presence. Each de-mining operation can take days and involves a careful procedure of identification and neutralization of explosive devices.
In 2023 alone, the company neutralized over 50 mines—a small fraction of the estimated total. However, the nature of warfare and the underwater landscape mean that this essential work can take decades.
As Ukrainian maritime exports continue to become increasingly vital, divers like Vitalii are dedicating themselves to ensuring safe passage in contaminated waters, moving cautiously forward with their mission, one step at a time.
