VarnaNaval Warfare
Mine countermeasures group back in Varna; undersea infrastructure role awaits Turkish ratification
In 14 days at sea the ships covered 850 nautical miles. The next activation runs from 6 to 18 November with exercise Poseidon.
Exercise · Completed
MCM Black Sea task group: 12th activation
The Bulgaria–Romania–Türkiye mine countermeasures group held its 12th activation under Bulgarian command from 7 to 18 October, with Kapitan I rang Dimitar Dobrev and Struma (Bulgaria), Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu (Romania) and Akçay (Türkiye).
The group commander is Captain (Navy) Petar Dimitrov. Its tasks are surveillance, reconnaissance, neutralising hazards to shipping and search and rescue. On 9 October the group recovered a Kh-31P missile engine and destroyed drone debris off Sinemorets, and on 13–14 October it joined the Turkish exercise Nusret-2026. Since 2022, 161 drifting mines have been neutralised in the Black Sea, 6 of them in Bulgaria’s EEZ (MApN).
Sources
Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) · bta.bg
Bulgaria again takes command of Black Sea mine countermeasures groupPrimary sourceNews agencyRadio România Regional · romaniaregional.ro
O nouă activare a grupului operativ pentru combaterea minelor marine din Marea NeagrăVerified mediaVarna24 · varna24.bg
Започна дванадесетата активация на противоминната група в Черно мореOtherNova Varna · novavarna.net
Тържествено посрещат кораби от MCM Black SeaOtherBulgarian Ministry of Defence · navy.mod.bg
Започна дванадесетата активация на противоминната група в Черно море (MCM Black Sea)Government
Related publications
VarnaNaval Warfare
First of seven minehunters from Belgium and the Netherlands due at the end of October
The ships are free of charge; Bulgaria pays for their refurbishment – up to €42m – and trains Ukrainian crews.
Black SeaNaval Warfare
Black Sea mine countermeasures group ends its 12th activation under Bulgarian command
The Bulgaria–Romania–Türkiye group is on its 12th activation. Six drifting mines have been neutralised in Bulgaria's EEZ since 2022.
Black Sea, off SinemoretsNaval Warfare
Mine countermeasures group recovers Kh-31P missile engine and destroys drone debris off Sinemorets
The find is reported by the Defence Ministry's Bulgarian Army outlet. Who launched the missile, and when, is not stated.
English