Ukraine Navy Trains Mine Hunters in British Waters

Ukrainian Navy sailors are training in British waters with Royal Navy specialists to prepare for a future mission clearing Russian sea mines from the Black Sea, using former British minehunters transferred to Ukraine as part of Operation Interflex Maritime.

According to Forces News and LBC, the exercises are taking place aboard UNS Cherkasy, formerly HMS Shoreham, where crews practice detecting and destroying dummy mines with unmanned underwater systems.

Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Smith explained the mine disposal process during the exercise.

"It doesn’t quite ‘detonate’ the mine. The better way to describe it would be that it’s designed to pierce its casing and essentially flood the senses," said Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Smith.

He described the procedure as highly controlled, with crews following detailed checks before using mine-neutralization equipment.

"The whole thing is a careful process," said Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Smith.

Smith continued by explaining the slow nature of mine warfare and the importance of procedures during operations.

"Mine warfare is probably the slowest warfare. There are a lot of checks. It’s all about procedure. It’s all about making sure that everything is done in an order so that when it comes to actually firing a round, it goes bang," said Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Smith.

Ukrainian sailor Illia, 22, said the training would support future operations as his country works to remove underwater threats.

"Going to help" his country, said Illia, a Ukrainian sailor from southern Ukraine.

He also described the vessel's first successful run and its expected role after returning to Ukrainian waters.

"This is the first successful run for the ship. And in the future, this ship is going to destroy more and more mines, hopefully in the Black Sea," said Illia.

Lieutenant Commander James, a Royal Navy officer and bomb disposal specialist, said the training is designed for eventual operations in the Black Sea, where hundreds of mines have been reported.

"The provision of this training allows the Ukrainian servicemen to go back to the Black Sea to clear it of real explosive threats," said Lieutenant Commander James.

He said the Black Sea mine threat includes older designs and more advanced weapons placed on the seabed.

"There are hundreds of Russian naval mines in the Black Sea. It's certainly up there in the multiples of hundreds, potentially even thousands," said Lieutenant Commander James.

James added that mine technology has developed beyond traditional designs.

"And we're talking about everything from a big metal ball with spikes – that's a classic type of mine, those things still exist in the Black Sea – to a lot more modern influence ordnance, so large lumps of explosives that sit on the seabed with sensors that can be set to a certain magnetic signature. There’s some very high-tech stuff that requires a slightly different way of approaching it," said Lieutenant Commander James.

He linked maritime security to the restoration of commercial routes through the Black Sea.

"If you talk about global trade, the influence that the UK can have to help Ukraine open up their waters and make that trade easier is of high value," said Lieutenant Commander James.

James also explained why the ships remain in UK waters during the conflict.

"During times of war, the Turks essentially become the gatekeepers of the Black Sea. So the ships can't go back yet until there is some kind of peace deal or ceasefire," said Lieutenant Commander James.

Sub Lieutenant Max, executive officer of UNS Cherkasy, said larger ships face risks in the Black Sea while the war continues.

"The Black Sea is a very difficult situation. There is some mine-hunting there, being done by small ships. Big ones like this are targets. Small and quick is better than big and slow," said Sub Lieutenant Max.

Max said the crew continues preparing in the United Kingdom despite wanting to return to Ukraine.

"But being here is not like a holiday or vacation. We are working. It has been very difficult watching the war from afar.

Hopefully in the coming months we can go back to Ukraine and help. All our crew wants to go back to Ukraine, but we need to prepare as much personnel as possible here," said Sub Lieutenant Max.

He also thanked the Royal Navy for the training support provided to Ukrainian personnel.

"The UK Royal Navy is very developed in terms of its training. It’s a very good opportunity for us. I don't have enough words to say how thankful we are," said Sub Lieutenant Max.

Lieutenant Commander James said Russia's methods of maritime mine deployment have evolved during the war.

"We're seeing different methods of laying," said Lieutenant Commander James.

He explained that Ukrainian control in parts of the northwest Black Sea has affected traditional mine-laying methods.

"With Ukraine having so much control in the northwest Black Sea, they haven't been able to lay mines like they would traditionally. They are using stand-off systems like Shahed drones for example, glide bombs with influence fuses. They're becoming more innovative about how they put mines into the water," said Lieutenant Commander James.

Sub Lieutenant Max described the psychological challenge of remaining away from the battlefield.

"Psychologically it's very difficult for everybody, because we all want to go to Ukraine," said Sub Lieutenant Max.

He added that the crew must remain prepared while waiting for the opportunity to return.

"Sometimes we have a brain explosion, seeing what's going on, and we want to go back and fight but for the moment we are where we are. We just need to be ready," said Sub Lieutenant Max.

The Royal Navy's Chief Petty Officer Smith said the exercises are intended to prepare sailors for real mine-clearing operations.

"Nothing that we do within Interflex is training. It's preparing for something that's real, which could be six months, it could be 18 months. That timeline, you don't know," said Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Smith.