Ukrainian Navy

Ukrainian Naval Forces
Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ
Emblem of the Ukrainian Naval Forces
Active1917–1921
1992–present
CountryUkraine
TypeNavy
RoleNaval warfare
Size11.000 (2022)[1]
Part ofArmed Forces of Ukraine
Garrison/HQOdesa
Colors  Blue
  Gold
MarchMarch of the VMS of Ukraine (Марш ВМС України)[2]
AnniversariesNavy Day[3][4][5][6]
Battle honours
Websitenavy.mil.gov.ua/en/
Commanders
CommanderVice Admiral[7] Oleksiy Neizhpapa[8]
Insignia
EnsignEnsign of Ukrainian Navy
Jack
Pennant
Shoulder sleeve insignia[a]

The Ukrainian Navy (Ukrainian: Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ, romanized: Viiskovo–morski syly Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, VMS ZSU, lit. 'Military Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine') is the maritime forces of Ukraine and one of the eight service branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The naval forces consist of five components – surface forces, submarine forces, naval aviation, coastal rocket-artillery and naval infantry.[9] In 2022, the Ukrainian navy had 15,000 personnel, including 6,000 naval infantry.[1]

The headquarters of the Ukrainian Naval Forces was, until the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, located at Sevastopol in Crimea.[9]

Ukraine had been scheduling to rebuild its naval forces since 2005[10][11] by building the domestic project 58250, the first Ukrainian designed and built corvette, as well as ordering four patrol boats in 2013 from Willard Marine.[12][13] Ukraine has also restarted the production of its Gryuza River Armed Artillery Boat.[14]

The navy previously operated in the Black Sea basin (including the Sea of Azov and Danube Delta). However, Russia has since gained complete control of the Sea of Azov and significant control of the Black Sea during the ongoing conflict.[9] Distant operations of the Ukrainian Navy are limited to multinational activities, such as Operation Active Endeavour and Operation Atalanta in the Mediterranean and Horn of Africa.

The Ukrainian flagship was scuttled in March 2022 during Russia's invasion to prevent its capture, and Russia's navy blocked Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.[15] This was overcome by using sea drones.[16][17]

During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine has been frequently described as 'not having a navy' due to having no warships.[18][19][20]

  1. ^ a b The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. February 2022. ISBN 9781000620030.
  2. ^ "Марш ВМС України звучав і на Арбаті".
  3. ^ "Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree". Interfax-Ukraine. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  4. ^ "President signs Decree On Celebration of Some Memorable Dates and Professional Holidays". President.gov.ua. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-01-22.
  5. ^ Reif, Joe (2001). The Global Road Warrior: 100 Country Handbook for the International Business Traveler (3rd ed.). Novato, California: World Trade Press. p. 781. ISBN 1-885073-86-0. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  6. ^ Ukraine Intelligence & Security Activities and Operations Handbook. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications, USA. 2009. p. 250. ISBN 978-0-7397-1661-8. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  7. ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №246/2022 Про присвоєння військового звання, (16 April 2022)
  8. ^ Zelensky taps Rear Admiral Neizhpapa to command Ukraine's Navy (Photo), Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (11 June 2020)
  9. ^ a b c "The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". mil.gov.ua. 1996-08-17. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
  10. ^ Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (9 August 2005). Verkhovna Rada website.
  11. ^ Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (1 March 2006).Verkhovna Rada website.
  12. ^ "Project 58250 Corvette / Hayduk-21/Gaiduk-21 Volodymyr Velyky ["Vladimir the Great"]". globalsecurity.org. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  13. ^ "Willard Marine to supply patrol boats to Ukraine". bairdmaritime.com. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  14. ^ "Ukrainian Navy to receive two Gyurza-M boats". Azeri Defence. 9 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  15. ^ Rogoway, Tyler (3 March 2022). "The Ukrainian Navy's Flagship Appears To Have Been Scuttled". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
  16. ^ Kirichenko, David (2023-09-26). "Ukraine sea drones outsmarting Russia's superior navy". Asia Times. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  17. ^ "Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say". BBC News. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference doesnthave was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ "Ukraine Has No Navy. But It's Hammering Russia In The Black Sea". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
  20. ^ "How the Ukrainians – with no navy – defeated Russia's Black Sea Fleet". The Conversation.


Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).