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Ukraine Trains Future Navy Officers on Cutting-Edge Hetman Ivan Mazepa Missile Corvette in Istanbul
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
A group of Ukrainian naval cadets recently concluded a 15-day onboard training program aboard the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, an Ada-class corvette currently stationed in Istanbul, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense media outlet Brys on November 30.
The trainees, enrolled at the Naval Institute, focused on practical skills in key technical and operational roles. The program was designed to prepare future senior non-commissioned officers and technical specialists for duties aboard active naval vessels.
The Ministry of Defense noted that the training covered a range of disciplines, including ship armament systems, navigation technologies, radio-electronic warfare equipment, communication systems, and power installations.
Cadet Artem Halahan, one of the participants, described the experience as a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in real-world scenarios.
“We learned to operate technical equipment related to our specialty, studied the ship’s structure and emergency systems, and carried out tasks such as launching and servicing small boats,” he said, adding that the cadets also took part in navigation exercises using both electronic and traditional maps.
The Hetman Ivan Mazepa was launched in October 2022 after its keel was laid in September 2021. Assembly of the hull began later that year. In July 2024, the ship entered the state sea trial phase, during which its combat systems, onboard equipment, and performance metrics were evaluated prior to final commissioning.
According to Brys, the corvette’s training rotation is part of a broader initiative to provide hands-on experience for Ukrainian naval personnel as the country continues to modernize its fleet through international cooperation, particularly with Turkey.
The Hetman Ivan Mazepa is the first of the Ada-class corvettes built for Ukraine as part of a bilateral defense agreement with Turkey. Designed for surface warfare, anti-submarine missions, and maritime patrols, the corvette represents a significant milestone in Ukraine’s naval development.
Earlier, Ukraine’s newest minehunters—Mariupol and Melitopol—joined NATO’s Sea Breeze 2025 exercises in the United Kingdom, training alongside allied mine-countermeasure ships to improve Black Sea demining capabilities and integrate Ukrainian crews into NATO-standard operations.
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