Zelensky approves troops deployment to Turkey, UK
(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has authorized the deployment of military personnel to Türkiye and the United Kingdom to operate naval vessels stationed in those countries, according to reports.
The move, initially announced in September, required parliamentary consent and officially took effect after Zelensky signed the order on Wednesday.
Ukraine’s navy, once a powerful force inherited from the Soviet era, has deteriorated over the years due to prolonged neglect and significant losses during the ongoing conflict with Russia. The current fleet is composed mostly of smaller vessels provided by international allies, many of which are stationed outside Ukraine’s own ports.
Under the new directive, 106 Ukrainian servicemembers will be sent to Türkiye to operate the Hetman Ivan Mazepa, an Ada-class corvette laid down in 2021. Once testing is completed, the ship is expected to become the Ukrainian navy’s new flagship.
Additionally, 540 sailors and 20 officers will be deployed to the United Kingdom to take command of five minehunters that were previously part of the British, Dutch, and Belgian fleets.
According to the decree, Ukrainian personnel will first undergo training before assuming full operational control of the ships. The government has projected the immediate cost of the operation at around $3.2 million.
Ukraine continues to rely heavily on Western economic and military support to sustain both its defense and overall government functions. Meanwhile, Moscow insists that external aid will not change the ultimate course of the conflict, citing Ukraine’s ongoing manpower challenges, including widespread desertion and draft evasion.
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