Ukraine will establish a new mine countermeasures brigade within its Navy, based on five mine warfare vessels transferred by partner countries under the Coalition of Maritime Capabilities.
The decision was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during events marking the Day of the Ukrainian Navy.
The new formation will include five mine countermeasures ships provided by European partners. The United Kingdom transferred the Sandown-class vessels Chernihiv and Cherkasy, while Belgium supplied the Alkmaar-class Melitopol. The Netherlands also transferred two Alkmaar-class ships, Mariupol and Henichesk.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian Navy operated a separate minesweeper division responsible for mine clearance in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
At that time, the fleet relied on Soviet-built coastal minesweepers, including Henichesk, which was lost during a combat mission in June 2022.
