Two former Royal Navy ships now serving with the Ukrainian Navy will be a frequent sight in the waters off the south coast of England as they operate from their new temporary home in Portsmouth Naval Base.
The Sandown-class minehunters, formerly HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby, now renamed Cherkasy and Chernihiv after being transferred to Ukraine last year, arrived in Portsmouth on Thursday (11 April) following a two-day voyage from Scotland. The Royal Navy said: “The ships will be based in Portsmouth for the foreseeable future as they prepare for exercises with the Royal Navy alongside the US Navy in UK waters, which will help Ukraine understand how to operate with NATO navies.”
The Ukrainian sailors have undergone training with the Royal Navy’s instructors from Fleet Operational Standards and Training over the past 18 months, meaning they are able to safely operate their new vessels. The Royal Navy said: “Their arrival is a key milestone in the Maritime Capability Coalition, which helps Ukraine’s navy with training, equipment, and infrastructure, to bolster security in the Black Sea region. The UK is co-leading the Maritime Capability Coalition, alongside Norway.
