U.Ok. sends 2 minehunters to Ukraine as Britain, Norway search to bolster Kyiv’s navy within the Black Sea

LONDON — Britain is transferring two minehunting ships to Ukraine as a part of a package deal of long-term assist to bolster safety within the Black Sea, the Ministry of Defense mentioned Monday.

Transfer of the 2 Sandown class vessels, that are designed to assist clear mines from coastal waters, comes as Britain and Norway announce plans for a brand new maritime coalition to extend assist for Ukraine within the warfare with Russia.

The coalition will work with the Ukrainian navy to broaden its forces within the Black Sea, develop a Ukrainian Marine Corps and improve using river patrol craft to defend inland and coastal waterways, British authorities mentioned.

“These minehunters will ship important functionality to Ukraine, which can assist save lives at sea and open up important export routes, which have been severely restricted since (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his unlawful full-scale invasion,’’ Defense Secretary Grant Shapps mentioned in a press release.

Britain first introduced a deal to promote the 2 mine-hunting ships to Ukraine in June 2021, earlier than Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian troopers started coaching on the ships final yr in Scotland.