The Netherlands will transfer a mine-hunting ship to Ukraine in June, which will be named "Henichesk" - Zelenskyy
Kyiv • UNN
Ukraine will receive an Alkmaar-class vessel for mine disposal after crew training. The ship will be based in Britain until the end of hostilities.
The Netherlands will transfer a mine-sweeping vessel to Ukraine in June. It will be named "Henichesk" – in honor of the ship that Ukraine lost while performing a combat mission in June 2022 near the Kinburn Spit. This was announced by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as reported by UNN.
Details
In Vlissingen, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Rob Jetten met with Ukrainian servicemen who are training on the mine-sweeping vessel Zr. Ms. Makkum.
The ship's commander reported to the President and the Prime Minister on how the training of Ukrainians is progressing. The crew works with various types of underwater drones to search, identify, and neutralize mines. A significant part of the sailors have real combat experience, including naval experience.
The Netherlands will fully train the crew and transfer this vessel to Ukraine in June. It will be named "Henichesk" – in honor of the ship that Ukraine lost while performing a combat mission in June 2022 near the Kinburn Spit. The vessel is planned to participate in Sea Breeze in 2027.
Zelenskyy thanked Rob Jetten for his assistance and training of Ukrainian defenders and separately noted the quality of military training.
In addition, the Head of State presented the Order "For Merit" of the III degree to the Chief of Defense of the Netherlands Onno Eichelsheim and awarded medals "For Military Service to Ukraine" and "Defender of the Fatherland" to seven Ukrainian defenders.
This ship is the fifth among those that Ukraine will receive. The first four were transferred by Great Britain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. They are called "Cherkasy", "Chernihiv", "Mariupol", and "Melitopol". Two of them are Sandown class, and two, like the future "Henichesk", are Alkmaar class.
All five will be based in Great Britain for now, and after the war, they will participate in demining the water area and significantly strengthen the capabilities of the Navy.