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Ukraine Could Deploy Minehunters to Help Reopen Critical Strait of Hormuz
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
Ukraine may deploy its mine countermeasure vessels to support a multinational effort to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following the end of hostilities in the Middle East.
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According to The Times on April 22, citing a source in Ukraine’s defense sector, four Ukrainian minehunters currently based in the United Kingdom could be integrated into a British-French-led operation aimed at clearing mines and securing maritime routes in the strategically critical waterway.
The outlet reports that Ukrainian naval officers are expected to participate in a multinational military planning summit at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) in Northwood, where Kyiv is set to signal its readiness to contribute naval assets to the mission.
“We are ready to offer everything. There are four mine countermeasure vessels in Portsmouth. They cannot be sent to Ukraine because, first, they would become the number one target, and second, due to the Montreux Convention ,” the source told The Times.
The vessels in question include two Sandown-class minehunters—Chernihiv and Cherkasy—transferred from the United Kingdom, as well as two Alkmaar-class ships—Mariupol and Melitopol—provided by the Netherlands and Belgium. All four ships are currently stationed in Portsmouth.
The report notes that an additional Alkmaar-class vessel is expected to be delivered by the Netherlands in June 2026 and will be commissioned into the Ukrainian Navy as Henichesk.
Beyond ship deployment, The Times reports that Ukraine is also considering offering other capabilities to support maritime security operations, including the use of surface drones and counter-drone systems to protect commercial shipping from potential attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea. According to international energy data, a significant share of global oil exports passes through the route, including shipments from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Iran moved to disrupt traffic in the strait following the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel, raising concerns over global energy supply chains. Ukraine has previously indicated its willingness to support efforts to restore freedom of navigation in the region.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that Ukraine is open to participating in international initiatives aimed at ensuring safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, including both advisory roles and operational contributions.
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