Ukraine’s Navy to have five mine countermeasure vessels by June
As of June 2026, the Ukrainian Navy will have five mine countermeasure vessels in service. In particular, the Netherlands is currently training the crew of the minehunter Zr. Ms. Makkum, which will be renamed Henichesk and transferred to Ukraine in June.
This was reported by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine on Telegram, according to Ukrinform.
“As of June 2026, the Ukrainian Navy will have five mine countermeasure vessels in service,” the statement says.
It is noted that among the vessels are Cherkasy, a Sandown-class mine countermeasure vessel transferred by the United Kingdom (former name – HMS Shoreham), as well as Chernihiv – a Sandown-class mine countermeasure vessel transferred by the United Kingdom (former name – HMS Grimsby).
“These two ships were transferred to Ukraine in January 2023. They are named in honor of the minesweepers that resisted during the Russian occupation of Crimea in 2014,” the Office of the President notes.
The Office adds that Sandown-class ships have high maneuverability and a low magnetic signature, which allows them to operate effectively in mine countermeasure operations. According to the publication, the crews of the Chernihiv and Cherkasy underwent training in the United Kingdom and exercises together with NATO forces. They received NATO certification for mine countermeasure operations as part of ship groups.
“The ships took part in the multinational exercises Sea Breeze in 2023 and 2025, as well as in the British exercise Joint Warrior-23-II,” the agency notes.
In addition, the Naval Forces will include Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure vessels: Melitopol, transferred by Belgium, and Mariupol, transferred by the Netherlands.
These vessels are named after base minesweepers that were in the composition of the Naval Forces of Ukraine until 2014 and bear the names of occupied cities, which symbolizes the struggle for the return of Ukrainian territories. Both ships were transferred to Ukraine in June 2025; last year they also took part in the international Sea Breeze exercises.
“The future Henichesk, a vessel (minehunter) of the Alkmaar class. Its current name is Zr. Ms. Makkum. It will be named in honor of a ship that Ukraine lost while it was carrying out a combat mission in June 2022 near the Kinburn Spit. The Netherlands is currently preparing the crew and will transfer the vessel to Ukraine in June,” the Office of the President notes.
The agency reports that Alkmaar-class ships are equipped with modern sonar systems and underwater devices for mine search. They are intended for the search, detection, and destruction of naval mines.
“All five vessels will, for now, be based in the United Kingdom, and after the end of the war will take part in the demining of the water area and will significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Naval Forces of Ukraine,” the statement says.
As Ukrinform reported, servicemen of the 40th Separate Marine Brigade of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine struck two boats of Russian invaders with drones, which were attempting to cross the Dnipro River, and neutralized 15 enemy landing troops.
First photo: Naval Forces of Ukraine