Ukrainian sailors successfully completed the Sea Breeze 2026 exercise
The Sea Breeze 2026 international naval exercise has concluded in the United Kingdom, with Ukrainian sailors and partners from other countries participating. During the exercise, Ukrainian specialists practiced mine countermeasures and demonstrated their readiness to operate in accordance with NATO standards.
The international Sea Breeze 2026 exercises, which brought together naval personnel from Ukraine and partner nations, have concluded in the United Kingdom. During the exercises, Ukrainian military personnel, together with their allies, carried out mine countermeasures tasks. They practiced operational planning, the search for and identification of mine-like objects, underwater mine clearance, and the neutralization of training mines. “During the exercises, Ukrainian naval personnel, together with their partners, practiced the full spectrum of mine countermeasures: planning mine countermeasures, searching for, classifying, and identifying mine-like objects, underwater mine clearance, and detonating training mines,” the Ukrainian Navy noted.
Ukrainian forces received high marks
Special attention was paid to anti-surface and anti-air defense during Sea Breeze 2026. Based on the assessment results, the Ukrainian Navy’s Mine Countermeasures Command successfully passed the second-level inspection. Additionally, two Ukrainian Alkmaar-class mine countermeasures ships received a first-level rating.
The Ukrainian Navy emphasized that these results confirm the Ukrainian military’s ability to plan and conduct mine countermeasures operations in accordance with NATO standards. “The results confirm the ability of Ukrainian sailors to effectively plan and execute mine countermeasures operations in accordance with NATO standards,” the Navy reported.
War Experience Helps Ukrainian Military
The Ukrainian Navy noted that the combat experience Ukrainian sailors gained while defending their country has been a significant contribution to joint exercises with allies. According to military officials, Ukrainian specialists can share their practical knowledge with partners because they have experience operating in real wartime conditions.
The Sea Breeze 2026 exercise marked another step toward developing the Ukrainian Navy’s mine-countermeasures capabilities and strengthening cooperation with NATO countries. Earlier, the Navy reported that during these exercises, Ukraine had, for the first time, the opportunity to independently command NATO forces in certain areas. This was reported by the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
