Ukraine’s crews already wrote the NATO manual on the Black Sea’s demining.

BY OLENA MUKHINA

18/04/2026

By June 2026, the Ukrainian Navy’s fleet will reportedly expand with five mine countermeasure vessels transferred by allies. All of them will be temporarily based in the UK, but are viewed as key assets for future operations in the Black Sea after the end of the war, the Presidential Office reports. 

This group of vessels effectively forms a new core of Ukraine’s mine countermeasures capabilities, according to ArmyInform. 

New mine warfare component of fleet

The UK has transferred two Sandown-class minehunters to Ukraine — HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby, which have been renamed “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv”.

The names carry symbolic meaning linked to the resistance of Ukrainian sailors during the 2014 occupation of Crimea.

Ships of this class are characterized by a low magnetic signature and high maneuverability, which is critical for operations in mine-contaminated waters. Their crews were trained in the UK and received NATO certification for participation in mine countermeasure missions.

The next stage for these crews will be the NATO Level 2 evaluation (NEL2), after which they will be able to fully participate in multinational operations.

The vessels have already participated in the Sea Breeze exercises (2023 and 2025) and the British Joint Warrior-23-II drills, providing Ukrainian sailors with practical experience in international operations and complex naval logistics environments.

European minehunters expand reach of Ukrainian fleet

The second component consists of two Alkmaar-class vessels transferred by the Netherlands and Belgium. 

They have been named “Melitopol” and “Mariupol”, emphasizing the political and symbolic dimension of reclaiming occupied territories.

A third vessel of the same class, to be named “Henichesk,” is also being prepared. Its crew is already undergoing training, and the transfer is expected in the near future.

These ships are equipped with modern sonar systems and underwater unmanned vehicles, enabling effective detection and neutralization of mines at various depths. They can operate autonomously and use underwater drones for reconnaissance and threat disposal.

Future demining operation becomes a long-term maritime project

All transferred vessels are seen as the foundation of a future large-scale Black Sea demining operation, including coastal infrastructure. Each ship can operate independently within its assigned zones and along clear navigation routes.

The Ukrainian Navy expects the demining process to proceed in several phases after the security situation stabilizes. The initial phase may last up to eight months, focusing on critical routes and anchor zones. The full cycle could take three to five years.

It is also emphasized that Ukrainian crews’ experience in real combat conditions, particularly during the “grain corridor” operations, is unique and has already been integrated into NATO training standards.

In parallel, Ukraine is also developing its surface combat capability, including ADA-class corvettes “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” and “Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi,” which will strengthen the overall structure of the Navy and create a balance between defensive and offensive capabilities.