KIEV, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- The actions to clear the Black Sea and its neighboring Sea of Azov from mines would take up to five years, the Ukrayinska Pravda media outlet reported Wednesday, citing Ukrainian navy spokesman Dmytro Pletenchuk.
"The demining of the maritime communication routes and trade routes will last an estimated 3-5 months, while the comprehensive demining operation will take 3-5 years," Pletenchuk told reporters.
Currently, the mine-clearing operation is at the planning stage, Pletenchuk said, noting that the headquarters of the operation has been established already.
Mines and other explosives have been drifting in the Black Sea since February 2022 due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Last week, two sailors were injured after a Panama-flagged grain ship hit a floating mine in the Black Sea near the Ukrainian coast. ■
