... as we send in two Navy minesweepers

THE Royal Navy will provide Ukraine with minesweepers to clear Russian munitions from the Black Sea.

Two highly specialised British ships will be transferred to the Ukrainian navy this autumn, months ahead of schedule.

The mine countermeasure vehicle, pictured left, is a small but effective 160ft- long vessel with a reinforced plastic hull.

The ships, which clear mines from sea routes to allow the safe passage of larger forces, will be sent to speed up the export of blockaded Ukrainian food supplies.