Kyiv has begun training crews as it prepares to clear deadly sea mines.

The Netherlands has transferred an Alkmaar-class minehunter to Ukraine, Ukraine’s Navy Commander Oleksii Neizhpapa announced on 12 October. A second vessel of the same class is expected to follow by the end of 2025, adding further capacity to Kyiv’s maritime security efforts.

The Alkmaar class, part of the Tripartite programme developed by the Netherlands, France and Belgium, is designed to detect and neutralise mines using high-frequency sonar and remotely operated vehicles. Ukrainian crews have already started training to operate the ship, which will be integrated into the navy’s broader efforts to safeguard navigation lanes and port approaches.

Sea mines have become a persistent hazard in the Black Sea since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Hundreds of devices are believed to have been deployed, posing risks to both civilian and military vessels. The threat has disrupted shipping and complicated coastal defence operations, while creating an ongoing challenge for regional maritime safety.

Clearing mines is considered critical to protecting trade routes and maintaining agricultural exports from Ukrainian ports. Minehunter vessels play a central role in reopening and securing sea corridors, supporting efforts to stabilise maritime traffic and reduce insurance and transport risks for commercial carriers.

The delivery also comes amid wider international assistance for Ukraine’s demining needs. While the new vessel targets threats at sea, other countries are providing equipment and training to remove explosives on land, reflecting a parallel push to restore safe movement across both coastal waters and liberated territory. Kiev’s expanding demining capabilities underscore the importance of sustained support as Ukraine works to keep its ports operating and to protect vessels navigating one of the world’s most contested maritime regions.