Ukraine to receive Melitopol and Genichesk minesweepers from allied countries

Belgium and the Netherlands have handed over two minesweepers to Ukraine, which will be named after the temporarily occupied cities of Melitopol and Henichesk. This was reported to by The Dutch Ministry of Defense.

The Belgian ship BNS Narcis and the Dutch Zr.Ms. Vlaardingen were handed over during a ceremony at the Belgian naval base Zeebrugge. This happened some time ago, and it is being reported only now due to "operational security issues," the ministry said .

"Mine sweepers are entering a new chapter, under a new flag, with a new mission," said Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans.

The mine detector Zr.Ms. Vlaardingen will be named after the temporarily occupied Melitopol. The country will also hand over another ship by the end of the year – Zr.Ms. Makkum, which will be named after Genichesk, which is also under occupation. In December 2024, the crew of the Ukrainian Navy completed training on it.

During the handover ceremony, Brekelmans spoke about the donation and its ultimate goal.

"A future in which the Black Sea is open and free, and Ukrainian cities are no longer occupied," he said .

The head of the Dutch Ministry of Defense noted that Ukraine's ports and shipping lanes in the Black Sea are the lifeblood of the Ukrainian economy. They are under constant threat.

"That is why it is so important for maritime security and free passage that Ukraine can use search vessels for demining," Brekelmans concluded .

• Belgium also wants to supply Ukraine with F-16 sooner than planned. Earlier, the country postponed the delivery date to 2026, and the reason for the change in plans was the expectation of new F-35s from the United States.
• The Netherlands intends to finance the production of 600,000 drones in Ukraine. UAV deliveries are scheduled for 2025.