The Ukrainian Naval Forces reported that an old-fashioned mine was discovered in the Bosphorus on 26 March. Due to this, the Turkish authorities were forced to suspend the movement of ships.
The Ukrainian Navy noted that the Bosphorus is a critical navigable artery connecting the Black Sea with the World Ocean. The last time the Black Sea Straits were closed due to mine danger was during World War II.
"Large-scale aggression against Ukraine, waged by the Russian Federation, directly affects the Black Sea region security and effectively paralyzes the free navigation of all Black Sea countries," the Ukrainian Navy said.
The Turkish Navy had already eliminated the danger, and the Strait began working as usual.
"Russia is acting by the methods of the last century and threatens the entire civilized world. Its actions pose a direct threat to the lives of civilian sailors sailing the Black Sea... The continuation of Russia's aggressive and brutal war against Ukraine will only worsen the situation in the Black Sea," the Navy added.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey wanted to become a guarantor of Ukraine's independence after signing relevant agreements with Russia. Meanwhile, Ankara is making efforts to achieve peace.
On 20 March, it became known that the United States was having negotiations with Turkey to send Ukraine S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.