Global InformationUkrainian Navy information
 | This article is currently affected by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Any given information provided here may become quickly dated or inaccurate due to the developing situation. Be aware that truly accurate information may not be available until the war is over. If a ship was confirmed to have been lost in combat, PLEASE move it HERE. |
| Ukrainian Naval Forces | |
|---|---|
| Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ | |
 Emblem of the Ukrainian Naval Forces | |
| Active | 1917–1921 1992–2023 |
| Country | Ukraine |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 15,000 (2022)[1] |
| Part of | Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Garrison/HQ | Odesa |
| Colors | Blue Gold |
| March | March of the VMS of Ukraine (Марш ВМС України)[2] |
| Anniversaries | Navy Day[3][4][5][6] |
| Battle honours |
|
| Website | navy |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Vice Admiral[7] Oleksiy Neizhpapa[8] |
| Insignia | |
| Ensign |  |
| Jack |  |
| Pennant |  |
| Shoulder sleeve insignia[a] |  |
 | The article's lead section may need to be rewritten. The reason given is: too much detail - please rewrite to summarize the article. (September 2023) |
The Ukrainian Navy (Ukrainian: Військо́во-морські́ си́ли Збро́йних сил Украї́ни, ВМС ЗСУ, romanized: Viiskovo–morski syly Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, VMS ZSU, lit. 'Military Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine') was the maritime forces of Ukraine and one of the five 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 2014 Crimean crisis, located at Sevastopol in Crimea.[9] The naval forces were highly affected by the Crimean crisis, as the majority of their units were stationed there. Ships that did not escape or were not deployed at the time lowered their flags and were interned. Russia began a process of returning the vessels but stopped, citing the inability of Ukraine to retake possession and alleged violence against Russians in the Donbas.[citation needed] The ships that were returned were the older models of the fleet which were deemed obsolete. For example, Russia chose not to return the corvettes Ternopil and Lutsk, both of which were some of the newest ships of the Ukrainian fleet. However, none of the Ukrainian naval units retained were absorbed into the Russian Navy.[clarification needed]
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 the Black Sea during the ongoing colfict.[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]
- ^ a b The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. February 2022. ISBN 9781000620030.
- ^ "Марш ВМС України звучав і на Арбаті".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №246/2022 Про присвоєння військового звання, (16 April 2022)
- ^ Zelensky taps Rear Admiral Neizhpapa to command Ukraine's Navy (Photo), Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (11 June 2020)
- ^ 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.
- ^ Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (9 August 2005). Verkhovna Rada website.
- ^ Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (1 March 2006).Verkhovna Rada website.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Rogoway, Tyler (3 March 2022). "The Ukrainian Navy's Flagship Appears To Have Been Scuttled". The Drive. Retrieved 2022-03-15.
- ^ Kirichenko, David (2023-09-26). "Ukraine sea drones outsmarting Russia's superior navy". Asia Times. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say". BBC News. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
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