Environmental and Transboundary Impacts of Naval Mine Warfare in the Black Sea: Legal and Ecological Perspectives

Naval mines deployed in the Black Sea as part of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict have introduced considerable transboundary and environmental risks and have raised legal concerns under international law. This article takes an interdisciplinary approach to assess the ecological effects of mine warfare in the marine environment and reviews the relevant legal frameworks (Hague Convention VIII of 1907, UN Convention on Law of Sea (UNCLOS), Bucharest Convention) and customary international humanitarian law. The article focuses on the environmental effects of drifting/uncontrolled mines that drift due to hydrodynamic currents or under extreme weather conditions, which threaten marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems, commercial fisheries and regional maritime safety. Additionally, the article conducts an evaluation of mine incidents from documented sources from 2022 to 2024 to evaluate compliance with key principles, including distinction, proportionality, notification and the obligation to prevent marine pollution. The article demonstrates that the existing legal mechanisms related to naval mine deployment fail to sufficiently address the environmental aspect of mine deployment, particularly with respect to transboundary ecological damage and long-term marine pollution. The article additionally discusses the role of 'soft' law instruments (i.e., the San Remo Manual and IMO Guidelines) in improving the environmental protection standard for naval warfare. This article connects international humanitarian law, maritime law, and environmental governance to contribute to ongoing discussions regarding environmental security, marine ecosystem protection, and regional cooperation in the Black Sea.