ATHENS

The Bulgarian Navy destroyed a naval mine off the southern port city of Varna, media reports said Tuesday.

The state-run news agency, citing the navy, announced that the Soviet-era YaM-type was discovered off Kabakum beach by specialized teams of the mine hunter ship Struma earlier in the day and towed a safe distance before being destroyed with a controlled explosion.

The navy added it remains on alert to ensure safe navigation in Bulgarian waters, according to the agency.

Türkiye, Bulgaria and Romania signed an agreement in January to jointly tackle the mine threat in the Black Sea which emerged after Russia started its “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​