Ukrainian warships in town
Two former Royal Navy warships which now belong to the Ukrainian Navy called in to Campbeltown last week.
Ukrainian voices could be heard booming over loudspeakers as the minehunters Chernihiv and Cherkasy – formerly HMS Grimsby and HMS Shoreham respectively – berthed at the town's New Quay last Thursday.
In addition to being used as patrol boats, the Sandown-class vessels built in 1998 and 2001 are capable of searching for and destroying sea mines.
In June 2021, a memorandum on maritime partnership was signed by the UK and Ukraine and it was announced two Sandown ships would be transferred to the Ukrainian Navy.
Since then, the Ukrainian naval fleet has suffered losses after Russia launched a military invasion of the country in February 2022.
Ukrainian crews are currently undergoing training on Chernihiv and Cherkasy off the Scottish coast after the UK launched a major training operation for Ukrainian armed forces, with an ambition to train 20,000 in 2023.
The UK has welcomed contributions and knowledge from international partners, as a demonstration of the international community’s support for Ukraine.
Asked about the warships’ visit to Campbeltown, a Royal Navy spokesperson said: “Key allies and international partners routinely exercise and train with the UK’s armed forces. As part of well-established reciprocal agreements, visiting navies conduct visits to UK ports in support of their own national programmes.”
The spokesperson added: “As part of the broader UK training offer for Ukraine, the UK remains committed to the continual development of Ukrainian naval capabilities including mine clearance training.”