Ukrainian Minesweepers “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” Participate in Exercises in Scotland

In Scotland, the two-week Sea Breeze 24 mine countermeasure exercises concluded, featuring NATO military ships and Ukrainian minesweepers “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv”. The exercises took place at the King George V docks in Glasgow, supported by personnel from 11 countries. They marked the culmination of two years of training for Ukrainian personnel and the crews of mine countermeasure ships.

Commodore Benfield, co-chair of the Coalition for the Development of Ukraine’s Naval Forces and Means, praised the performance of the Ukrainian crews. “The crews of the Ukrainian mine countermeasure ships and the enthusiasm of their command, who completed all their training tasks and exceeded all expectations, are exemplary,” he stated.

Captain Denis Ivanin was also pleased with the exercises. “I am very pleased to announce the successful completion of the Sea Breeze 24 exercises with our allies from the USA, the UK, and NATO. I would personally like to thank them and our international mentors for their support and for sharing their expert knowledge over the past two weeks,” he stated.

Denys Ivanin added that his team benefited greatly. “Our approach, from planning to developing tactics and practices, as well as improving my personnel and the crews of our minesweepers, has undoubtedly enhanced our capabilities. I believe that in the future, we will be able to make an effective contribution to regional security through our demining capabilities in the Black Sea,” he stated.

The exercises included NATO’s Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1 (SNMCMG1) along with ships from Germany, Estonia, and France. “It is gratifying to see NATO personnel and the SNMCMG1 crew supporting the training of Ukrainian mine countermeasure ships,” stated NATO Submarine Forces Commander Rear Admiral Thomas Wall. “Over the past two years, the Ukrainian Navy has undergone exceptional training, and these exercises served as a final test of their capabilities. The crews of the ‘Chernihiv’ and ‘Cherkasy’ ships have deeply impressed and inspired me. What they have achieved in such a short period is truly remarkable.”

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And the Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, Vice Admiral Thomas Ishee, added that such exercises are part of a long-term multinational training plan to maintain combat readiness among NATO members and partner countries in the Black Sea region. Continuing this program is a clear demonstration of the United States’ commitment to enhancing maritime security.

Ukrainian minesweepers “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv,” which previously served in the Royal Navy as Shoreham and Grimsby, traveled to Glasgow to participate in the exercises. As a reminder, we previously reported that these ships were transferred to the Ukrainian Navy and had already participated in the Joint Warrior and Sea Breeze exercises in 2023.

The Sea Breeze exercises are being held in UK waters for the second time, and their goal is to prepare the Ukrainian Navy to work with future mine countermeasure assets in the Black Sea, contingent on the end of the war in Ukraine and the reopening of the Bosphorus Strait.

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