Ukrainian Navy Conducts Countermine With US & UK For Black-Sea Naval War

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

On June 24, 2024, the U.S. 6th Fleet and the Royal Navy inaugurated the Exercise Sea Breeze in Glasgow, Scotland. This exercise is a collaborative mine countermeasure initiative involving the U.S. Navy, Royal Navy, and Ukrainian Navy, continuing a tradition that started in 1997.

According to Commodore Capt. Geoffrey Townsend, Commander of Task Force (CTF) 68, “Sea Breeze 2024 offers a vital opportunity for Allies and partners to enhance interoperability and prepare for a post-conflict Black Sea region.” The exercise aims to tackle the challenges mines pose to maritime safety, global food security, and commerce.

Sea Breeze 2024-1 centers on the integration and command and control of Mine Countermeasure Vessels, with a Ukrainian task group headquarters augmented by international staff officers and mentors. In addition, Commodore Dmytro Kovalenko, Chief of Training Command of Ukrainian Navy Command said that “Training with NATO and our partners across the European theater is crucial.” Countries and organizations participating, observing, or mentoring during Sea Breeze 2024-1 include Bulgaria, Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Japan, NATO Maritime Command (MARCOM), Poland, Romania, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The U.S. contribution to Sea Breeze 2024-1 involves ten exercise support personnel from the 6th Fleet’s CTF-68 and four personnel from a U.S. Expeditionary Warfare Training Group (EWTG). Later this year, the U.S. 6th Fleet and Bulgarian Naval Forces will co-host Sea Breeze 2024-2 and 2024-3 in Bulgaria.

According to Royal Navy Commodore Steven Banfield MBE, Co-Chair of the Maritime Capability Development Coalition for Ukraine, he stated that “Training and growing the Ukrainian Navy’s capabilities will support the global long-term objective of ensuring a safe and prosperous maritime environment in the Black Sea”. He further stated that this activity is vital for supporting Ukraine’s economy by guaranteeing the free flow of maritime trade.

Of course, the Ukrainian Navy is actively advancing its mine countermeasures (MCM) capabilities, showcased during the exercise. The backbone of Ukraine’s emerging MCM capability consists of two former Royal Navy Sandown-class minehunters, now rechristened as Cherkasy and Chernihiv. These vessels, previously known as HMS Shoreham and HMS Grimsby, were transferred to Ukraine through the UK/Ukraine/Norway Maritime Capability Coalition (MCC) program, initiated in December 2023. Currently stationed at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, the ships and their crews are undergoing intensive training with Royal Navy personnel.