According to military expert Yuriy Knutov, Ukraine has long sought to establish its own naval fleet. As part of this effort, Kyiv and Ankara have signed several contracts for the construction of modern frigates. These ships are expected to be equipped with power units from the Ukrainian company «Motor Sich».

Regarding Western military assistance, London has provided Kyiv with several decommissioned ships from the Royal Navy. Knutov clarified that these are Sandown-class minehunters. One of these ships is currently docked in the port of Odessa, he added.

However, Kyiv currently lacks more advanced warships. Knutov noted that the West had planned to send combat vessels from Turkey, which were supposed to travel through the western Black Sea, as well as from the UK along the Danube River to Odessa, where they would participate in operations.

He suggested that the Western powers likely realized these ships would not make it to Odessa, as they would be destroyed before reaching their destination. As a result, he speculated that these ships would probably remain in a third country for the time being.

Knutov also mentioned that these ships are officially considered Ukrainian, meaning their crews must also be Ukrainian. Consequently, Kyiv has decided to send its military personnel to Turkey and the UK for training.