Historic mine discovery - NATO marks first find of Open Spirit 25 in Baltic Sea
NATO Allied Maritime Command
May 16 2025
Baltic Sea, Lithuania -- FS Andromede has successfully located an historic wartime mine in the Baltic Sea, the first to be discovered during Op Open Spirit 25.
The explosive device was found about 38 nautical miles from the Klaipėda port gate, Lithuania, by the French warship, which is currently sailing with Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1. The device will be destroyed at sea in due course, when it is safe to do so.
Open Spirit is a regular event in the Baltic Sea, led by Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on a rotational basis since 1997. During this time more than 200 mines, bombs, torpedoes, the remains of 17 sunken ships and two aircraft have been discovered in Lithuanian waters alone.
This iteration of Open Spirit is taking place in Lithuania's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone between 9 and 23 May 25. Twelve warships as well as divers, minesweepers and underwater teams from thirteen NATO countries are taking part. The aim is to continue clearing the seabed of mines and other ordnance left over from the two world wars, reducing the risk to maritime navigation, fishing and the environment.
Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM
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