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Ukraine’s Navy Earns Historic NATO Clearance to Command Multinational Mine Warfare Forces
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For the first time in its history, the Ukrainian Navy has earned NATO-certified authority to command multinational mine countermeasure forces, marking a major step in its operational integration with the Alliance.
The milestone was achieved during the Sea Breeze 2026 international exercises, the Ukrainian Navy announced on July 24.
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The mine warfare headquarters of Ukraine’s 1st Mine Countermeasures Division successfully completed a NATO Evaluation Level 2, or NEL-2, assessment and received Mission Capable status.
That designation confirms the headquarters can independently plan and conduct operations under NATO Allied Command Operations standards—not merely work alongside allied forces.
The certification also authorizes the Ukrainian unit to command multinational forces placed under its control, coordinate with NATO’s standing mine countermeasure groups, and conduct the full range of naval mine warfare missions.
“For the first time in the history of Ukraine’s modern navy, a unit has been officially integrated into NATO’s command system for formations tasked with eliminating mine threats at sea,” the Ukrainian Navy said.
The achievement followed three years of preparation carried out during Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. Ukrainian sailors spent that period implementing NATO doctrines, adapting command procedures, and building the operational capabilities required to lead allied formations.
Five Ukrainian mine countermeasure vessels currently based in the United Kingdom took part in the maritime phase of Sea Breeze 2026.
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The evaluation covered the mine warfare task group headquarters, an underwater mine-clearance team, and two Alkmaar-class minesweepers, Mariupol and Melitopol.
The recently transferred minesweeper Henichesk, provided by the Netherlands, also joined the Sea Breeze tactical group for the first time.
Previously, reports emerged that 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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