Ukraine's new UK minehunters will dock Black Sea only after hostilities end — Ukrainian Navy Reserve Captain

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"The two minehunters that the UK supplied to Ukraine will be able to enter the Black Sea only after hostilities end. And this is the best option. If we try to move them now, the Russians will start hunting for them. Because these two vessels will be the largest in the Ukrainian Navy. The occupiers today, unfortunately, have a significant advantage in air power. Therefore, these two minesweepers can become serious targets for them," Ryzhenko explained.

According to Ryzhenko, Ukraine should strengthen maritime unmanned systems' capabilities.

"Although these vessels are not very large, it is not difficult to detect them at sea. In addition, I want to remind you that the air defense system of a minehunter is very weak. As a rule, minehunters operate at sea under the protection of coastal air defense systems. Therefore, the best option to enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy would be to build up unmanned systems. After all, it was using maritime drones that Ukraine was able to neutralize the threat of the Russian Black Sea Fleet," he added.

• On April 12, media reported that the United Kingdom supplied Sandown-Grimsby and Shoreham minehunters to Ukraine for military exercises of the crew.