- Category
- Latest news
Ukrainian Navy’s Newest Minehunters Join Sea Breeze 2025 NATO Drills in the UK
- Authors
![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
Two newly transferred Ukrainian Navy minehunters, Mariupol and Melitopol, have officially joined the second phase of the Sea Breeze 2025 multinational naval exercises in Portland, United Kingdom, the Ukrainian Navy announced on June 30.
The naval component of the exercises—held in cooperation with NATO forces and partner countries—is focused on mine countermeasure operations, a mission critical to securing maritime routes and restoring safe navigation in the Black Sea.
🚢🌊 Exercise Sea Breeze Kicks Off in Portland, UK! 🇬🇧⚓ Led by the US and Ukraine, the focus is mine countermeasures & future security of the Black Sea. Taking part are #SNMCMG1 ENS Sakala & FS Aigle alongside 4 x Ukrainian Navy MCM ships - Mariupol, Melitopol, Chernihiv &… pic.twitter.com/im2gmRRxax
— NATO Maritime Command (@NATO_MARCOM) June 30, 2025
Joining the drills are four Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels: the freshly delivered Mariupol and Melitopol, along with Chernihiv and Cherkasy, vessels previously donated by the United Kingdom in 2023. Additional NATO ships from the alliance’s permanent mine countermeasures group are also taking part.
According to the Ukrainian Navy, the goal of the Sea Breeze exercises is to train forces in conditions as close to real-world scenarios as possible, ensuring Ukraine’s seamless integration into multinational operations. A key focus will be testing the interoperability of Ukrainian naval units with NATO standards.
Mariupol and Melitopol were officially handed over to Ukraine on June 27, 2025, by Belgium and the Netherlands.
The vessels are former Narcis (Belgian) and Vlaardingen (Dutch) ships of the Alkmaar-class — known internationally as the Tripartite-class — which was co-developed by Belgium, France, and the Netherlands.
Each ship carries a crew of four officers, 15 non-commissioned officers, and 17 sailors.
Since 2003, these vessels have been modernized with state-of-the-art systems, including the Atlas Elektronik INCMS combat data system, Thales 2022 Mk III sonar, and mine neutralization systems such as the Atlas Seafox and Double Eagle Mk III Mod 1 remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
At the opening ceremony in Portland, Ukrainian Commodore Dmytro Kovalenko thanked Ukraine’s international partners for their continued support, emphasizing the strategic importance of mine clearance in the Black Sea.
“Demining the Black Sea is vital for all coastal nations,” Kovalenko said. “Safe commercial shipping is the foundation of economic stability and prosperity for the region.”
Rear Admiral Michael Mattis of the US Sixth Fleet also underscored the importance of the knowledge Ukrainian sailors are contributing to the alliance.
“The Black Sea region is a vital hub for global trade and food security,” he said, adding that Ukraine’s combat experience is a valuable asset to partner navies.
This year’s naval component of Sea Breeze 2025 includes participation from 22 nations, including NATO member states and partner countries, reflecting the broad coalition committed to maritime security and regional stability.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Navy received the Swedish CB90 assault boats as part of military aid from its international allies.
