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Britain and Norway plan to assist Ukraine bolster Black Sea safety amid its battle with Russia.
The UK has transferred two minehunter ships to Ukraine as a part of a brand new push to strengthen the nation’s presence within the Black Sea amid Russia’s invasion.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) introduced Ukraine’s procurement of the 2 Royal Navy vessels on Monday. The deal is a part of a brand new Maritime Functionality Coalition, led by Britain and Norway, geared toward offering long-term army help to bolster security within the Black Sea.
The concentrate on maritime operations has elevated after practically two years of battle. Ukraine has focused Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, which is predicated within the annexed Crimea peninsula, because it has sought to make use of ships to export grain.
“As an island nation with a proud maritime historical past, the UK and Royal Navy are significantly well-placed to help this endeavour, which is able to type a part of a sequence of recent coalitions fashioned between allies to make sure an everlasting army dedication in help of Ukraine,” UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned, explaining how the warships are an essential first step.
“These minehunters will ship very important functionality to Ukraine, which is able to assist save lives at sea and open up very important export routes, which have been severely restricted since [Russian President Vladimir] Putin launched his unlawful full-scale invasion,” Shapps mentioned.
“This functionality enhance marks the start of a brand new devoted effort by the UK, Norway and our allies to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime capabilities over the long run, enhancing their capability to function in defending their sovereign waters and bolstering safety within the Black Sea.”
The coalition can even work with the Ukrainian navy to increase its forces within the Black Sea, develop a Ukrainian Marine Corps and improve using river patrol craft to defend inland and coastal waterways, the ministry mentioned.
The UK and Ukraine made the deal for the 2 minehunters in June 2021, earlier than Russia’s full-scale invasion. Ukrainian troopers have been coaching on the ships since final 12 months. London has additionally supplied army coaching programs to round 20,000 Ukrainians over the previous 12 months.
The UK is the second-largest provider of army assist to Ukraine, after the US.
The 2 Sandown-class mine countermeasures vessels had been procured by Ukraine by means of UK Export Finance.
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