Ukraine Gets Warship Boost from NATO Ally

The Ukrainian navy is set to receive two minehunting ships from the U.K., which will bolster the country's efforts to combat Russian aggression, according to the British government.

Russia's Black Sea blockade has profoundly impacted Ukraine's economy, blocking exports, including 20 million tons of critical grain supplies. The presence of Russian mines across the Black Sea is also a constant threat to both commercial and civilian vessels.

On Monday the U.K.'s Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps said that Kyiv will be receiving the ships, two Sandown Class mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs). The U.K. is retiring this class of vessel in favor of new unmanned systems.

MCMVs are able to seek, detect and destroy naval mines as well as de-mining entire areas without prior detection.

"These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes, which have been severely limited since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion," Shapps said in a press release.

Newsweek contacted the British Ministry of Defence for comment by email on Monday.

The move is part of an agreement with another European NATO member, Norway, with which the U.K. has formed a naval partnership in support of Ukraine, called the Maritime Capability Coalition. The U.K. will lead the coalition, which aims to deliver training, equipment and infrastructure to Ukraine to transform its navy and make it "more interoperable with NATO," the press release issued by the U.K. government reads.

According to the U.K., the British and Norwegian naval support for Kyiv will be long-term and will help reopen vital export routes blocked by Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in late February 2022.

"This capability boost marks the beginning of a new dedicated effort by the U.K., Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine's maritime capabilities over the long term, enhancing their ability to operate in defending their sovereign waters and bolstering security in the Black Sea," Shapps said.

The two Royal Navy ships are currently being transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have confirmed that the U.K. and Norway will be sending the ships, together with 20 Viking amphibious vehicles and 23 raiding craft.

"We are grateful to our partners for their important contribution to Black Sea security!," the Ukrainian defense ministry wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It's not yet clear how the UK will be able to deliver the minehunters to Ukraine, as Turkey controls access to the Black Sea through the Bosphorus and has reasonably good relations with Moscow, despite being a NATO member.