President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposes that the Verkhovna Rada approve the sending of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to other states, in particular to Turkey and the United Kingdom, where Ukrainian ships are deployed. The corresponding bill, No. 14059, was registered in the Rada on September 22, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
In particular, Zelenskyy proposes that the Rada approve decree No. 693 of September 19, already signed by him, on the sending of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to other states. The decree provides for the sending of the following for a period until the termination or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine:
to Turkey – the Hetman Ivan Mazepa corvette (type "Ada") with a full-time crew of up to 106 servicemen;
to the UK – 5 mine-clearing ships - Cherkasy, Chernihiv (type "Sandown"), Mariupol, Melitopol, Henichesk (type "Alkmaar"), each ship with a full-time crew of up to 39 servicemen; and the management of the 1st division of mine-clearing ships of the flotilla of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine as part of the mine-clearing headquarters with a total number of up to 20 servicemen; total number of up to 215 servicemen.
It has been established that the specified units during their stay in the territory of other states are subordinate to the command of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers is instructed to ensure the maintenance of the specified units during their stay in the territory of other states. The decree enters into force simultaneously with the entry into force of the law approving the decree.
The explanatory note to the bill states that such a decision will contribute to the receipt of sophisticated military equipment from partner countries and the professional mastery of its use. At the same time, it is noted that Turkey's position on the passage of warships through the Black Sea Straits does not allow the return of the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine specified in the decree to the cities of permanent deployment.
Financing of expenses related to the deployment and stay of units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Turkey and the United Kingdom in the amount of UAH 135 million is planned to be carried out within the appropriations of the Ministry of Defense for 2025, in 2026, in the event of the continuation of martial law, - UAH 203 million.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, the Hetman Ivan Mazepa anti-submarine corvette is currently being built for the Ukrainian Navy in Turkey, it should become the future flagship of the Ukrainian Navy.
In accordance with the requirements of the Montreux Convention, Turkey has stopped the movement of all ships through the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits to the Black Sea, so warships cannot yet reach Ukraine.
In 2022, two Sandown-class mine countermeasure ships were withdrawn from the British fleet, received the names "Cherkasy" and "Chernihiv" and were involved in multinational exercises under the Ukrainian flag, the supply contract was concluded by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom.
In June, the flag of the Ukrainian Navy was solemnly raised on two Alkmaar-class mine countermeasure ships transferred to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Belgium; the ships received the symbolic names "Melitopol" and "Mariupol". The transfer ceremony took place at the naval base in Zeebrugge, Belgium.
It is expected that the Netherlands will transfer a similar ship to Ukraine at the end of the year, which will be named "Henichesk."
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