Navy
Ukraine is a maritime nation, and the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine serve as the primary means for safeguarding its maritime borders. Ukrainians have always shown courage at sea, from the days of Kyivan Rus to the Cossacks era, and today's Navy service members continue this glorious tradition with dignity.
The history of the Ukrainian fleet began back in April 1918, when the Ukrainian flags and the Naval Ensign of the Ukrainian State were solemnly raised on the ships of the Black Sea Fleet and in the Sevastopol fortress. This demonstrates that Ukraine's military fleet is over a century old and still protects the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In 2014, during the occupation of Crimea by the Russian invaders, the service members of the Naval Forces of Ukraine remained faithful to their oath and to the people of Ukraine. Unarmed cadets sang their national anthem as the occupiers removed the flag of Ukraine from the flagpole of the Naval Academy. The officers and sailors withdrew ships, planes and equipment to prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy.
Today, the Ukrainian Navy is actively engaged in combat operations, safeguarding the nation both on the sea and on land. Their actions forced the enemy fleet to vacate the coastal sea zone and to give up artillery shelling of the shore. The Navy, working alongside other branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, successfully eliminated numerous russian ships, a submarine, and enemy infrastructure.
One of the most important victories was the destruction of the flagship of the russian Black Sea Fleet, the cruiser "Moskva". This is exactly the ship to which the defenders of Zmiiny Island gave the famous "order". As a result of the attack, the cruiser went to the bottom of the Black Sea 120 kilometers from Odessa, becoming a symbol of the steadfastness of Ukrainian soldiers.
The fleet of the Navy is tasked with monitoring of the surface situation and ensuring the operation of the grain corridor, which is essential to Ukraine and the rest of the globe. This guarantees food supplies even amid ongoing warfare.
Ukrainian marines are among the first to go into battle, stopping the enemy in the most difficult areas of the front. Their steadfastness and heroism confirm the slogan: "Always faithful!". Thousands of destroyed enemies are the best evidence of their contribution to the struggle for the freedom of Ukraine.
Naval aviators are true masters of the sky. Their record includes hundreds sorties, as well as the destruction of invaders and their equipment, which serves as evidence of their professionalism and precision.
In addition to naval operations, the Navy protects the waterways of Ukraine. The creation of a river flotilla on the Dnipro strengthens the defense of Kyiv and Chernihiv and maintains control over the waters of the Dnipro-Buzka and Dniester estuaries and the Danube River.
Today, the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are a high-tech, multi-purpose military force that is actively being restored and modernized. Thanks to constant modernization, Ukraine confirms its status as a maritime nation capable of defending its interests at sea, on land and in the air.
Commander of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine:
Vice Admiral Oleksiy Leonidovych NEIZHPAPA
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