The Netherlands, together with Belgium, has donated minehunters to Ukraine. The ships have already been handed over to Ukraine, but the Ministry of Defense has only now announced this for security reasons.
The Netherlands donated the Zr. Ms. Vlaardingen, which from now on will be named Melitopol. Later this year, the Zr. Ms. Makkum will also be delivered, which will then be called Henichesk.
The ships are named after Eastern Ukrainian cities that are currently illegally occupied by the Russians. Both cities are located on the Sea of Azov, near the Crimean peninsula.
The Belgians have donated the ship BNS Narcis, but it is not known what the vessel is now called. The ships will clear sea mines in the Black Sea. The Ukrainian crew has been trained by, among others, Dutch and Belgian personnel.
“Ukraine may not win the war at sea, but the country can certainly lose the war there. We simply cannot let that happen,” said outgoing Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Defense) at the handover.
Earlier this week, it was announced that the outgoing cabinet is allocating an additional 175 million euros for support to Ukraine. That money is intended for drones, radars and vehicles.