The Ukrainian Navy has confirmed its readiness to deploy ships to the Strait of Hormuz
Ukraine is ready to deploy at least two mine-sweeping ships to the international operation to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz.
This was reported by Dmytro Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Ukrainian Navy, in a comment to ArmyInform. According to him, the ships’ crews have already undergone the necessary training and successfully completed an external assessment for compatibility with NATO standards, which allows them to fully operate as part of international forces.
The ships, currently based in the United Kingdom, are equipped with modern equipment for detecting, identifying, and destroying mines using remotely operated underwater drones. Pletenchuk emphasized that Ukrainian sailors possess unique experience in mine clearance under real combat conditions, gained during the confrontation with Russian aggression in the Black Sea. This expertise is critically important for partners, as mine safety issues have been refined over the years during joint Sea Breeze exercises.
The involvement of the Ukrainian division in the mission in the Middle East will be part of broader international cooperation in the field of maritime safety. Ukraine is ready not only to carry out practical tasks but also to share its own best practices with countries that assist in the development of the Ukrainian Navy. It is expected that the use of high-tech systems will improve the effectiveness of detecting mine-like objects in strategically important waters. Thus, the Ukrainian Navy is moving from the training phase to active participation in ensuring global maritime security beyond the region. The final decision on the ships’ departure date will depend on the coordination of logistical plans with allies. Coordination efforts are currently underway within the newly formed international coalition.
Prior to this, Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that the United Kingdom, together with France, had led a conference on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Ukraine was also invited to participate in the discussion. Zelenskyy himself joined the meeting online.
The Times reported that Ukraine could send all four of its mine-hunting ships based in Britain to the Strait of Hormuz.
