Two former Royal Navy ships now serving with the Ukrainian Navy will be a frequent sight in the waters off the South Coast as they operate from their new temporary home in Portsmouth Naval Base.
The Royal Navys aid in a news release that the Sandown-class minehunters, formerly HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby, now renamed Cherkasy and Chernihiv after being transferred to Ukraine last year, arrived in Portsmouth following a two-day voyage from Scotland.
“The ships will be based in Portsmouth for the foreseeable future as they prepare for exercises with the Royal Navy alongside the US Navy in UK waters, which will help Ukraine understand how to operate with NATO navies. The Ukrainian sailors have undergone training with the Royal Navy’s instructors from Fleet Operational Standards and Training over the past 18 months, meaning they are able to safely operate their new vessels.”
Eventually, the plan is for Cherkasy and Chernihiv – which both arrived in Portsmouth flying the Union Jack as a courtesy – to operate in the Black Sea after Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine ends, clearing mines from vital sea lanes.
“We haven’t been telling too many people the ships are coming, but now they’re here they will be welcomed with open arms both here in the Naval Base and in the city of Portsmouth,” said Naval Base Commander, Commodore John Voyce.
“I’ve just been on board and the sailors are excited and positive about being here in Portsmouth Naval Base, getting support from UK companies and training with the Norwegian and Royal Navy. The ships will be based here for as long as they need, and we will be here to support them. The training of their people is important, and they can get out on the sea and work on maritime skills.”
Commodore Paul Pitcher, the Royal Navy’s Commander Surface Flotilla, added:
“There are huge amounts of Russian mines across 800 square kilometres of the Black Sea and Ukraine’s economy is heavily based on exporting grain through the same sea. Key to the post-conflict stability of Ukraine and economic recovery is the safe passage of traffic. These vessels will be crucial in providing safe sea lanes for the Ukrainian economy.”
I wonder if we’ll see more of the Ukrainian Navy outside of the Black Sea
So will they snek into the Baltic?
Think Turkey stopped the first too, as is their right. Believe they went the river route up the Danube.
They don’t stop the Russians do what they like…. Our great allies!!
Turkey can close access to the Black Sea to military vessels in time of war. Some old international treaty.
Turkey stopped warships travelling back to black sea under the international treaty and as far as I’m aware that has held throughout recent war. It merchant shipping can pass through
Ok but if I’m not mistaken I have heard that Russian war ships leave and reenter the black sea continually, I may be wrong.
I’ll ad an observation.. Being an English man living abroad I thing you people back home talk to much about bloody politics… Waste of time.. Talk more beer 🍻🍻
Turkey has prevented warships of all nations entering or leaving the Black Sea. Russian ships in the Med have to come from either the Baltic or the Northern fleets
Put some Neptunes onboard and send them north!