Category Archives: Ukraine

“‘The enemy has retreated again’: Cheering Ukrainian navy hits Russian war ship in Black Sea off Odessa as Kyiv continues to fight back” –Daily Mail

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The Daily Mail reports that a Russian Project 22160 corvette has been damaged and possibly sunk.

A contact in Ukraine, that I have been corresponding with for several months, has told me this was related to the loss of the Island class patrol boat P190 Slovyansk, former USCGC Cushing. That Island class patrol boats had enticed the corvette to chase them closer to shore where the corvette was ambushed by a Multiple Launch Rocket System. The former USCGC Cushing was lost in the effort.

The Ukrainian report is here.

Ukraine Conflict Related Incidents

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Cormoran (P677), a French navy ship. Brest, Finistère, Bretagne, France. Photo by Gary Houston

I really would like to know the basis of this seizure: French Navy Flamant-class OPV Cormoran seizes Russian cargo ship.

And then there are these seizures of Ukrainian flag ships by the Russians: Russian Navy seized two Ukrainian civilian vessels near Snake Island. If one or both of these ships was seized in Romania’s territorial sea, it would be a violation of international law

“Ukraine to receive 3 more Island-class patrol boats from the U.S.” –Naval Post

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180201-N-TB177-0211
U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Feb. 1, 2018) Island-class patrol boats USCGC Wrangell (WPB 1332), left, USCGC Aquidneck (WPB 1309), middle, and coastal patrol ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) patrol the open seas. Wrangell, Aquidneck and Firebolt are forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin J. Steinberg/Released)

Naval Post reports,

According to Ukraine’s Washington Ambassador’s statements on Friday, the U.S. will hand over three Island-class patrol boats to Ukraine in November.

Thanks to Nicky for bringing this to my attention. 

“Ukraine, France discussing delivery of OCEA FPB 98 patrol boats ” –Naval News

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A Suriname Coast Guard FPB 98 patrol boat (Credit: OCEA)

Naval News reports that Ukraine has announced they are in negotiations for joint production of 20 Patrol Boats to a French OCEA design for their “Sea Guard of the State Border Guard Service,” their coast guard. Sounds like it is a done deal with only minor details to work out.

As noted in the report, the Algerian Navy bought 21 of these and has ordered ten more.

They have a GRP hull and are powered by two 3,660 HP Caterpillar diesels using waterjets. Specs on the Algerian boats as follows.

  • Displacement: 100 tons
  • Length: 31.8 meters (104’4″)
  • Beam: 6.3 meters (20’8″)
  • Draft: 1.2 meters (3’11”)
  • Speed: 30 knots
  • Range: 900 nmi @ 14 knots
  • Crew: 13

Most of these boats are armed with a single auto-cannon forward. In most cases a 20mm, the Algerian boats have a 30mm. Given the Ukranians’ tensions with Russia, curious to see if they may choose to provide more weapons.

We have seen products from OCEA before. They provided four smaller patrol boats to the Philippine Coast Guard. These boats like those that went to the Philippines have provision for a RHIB launched by davit.

Russian CG and Ukrainian Navy Go to Blows.

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A couple of reports of a nasty incident that culminated in the seizure of three Ukrainian naval vessels. This may be worth watching. It is another assault on Freedom of Navigation.

“Tension escalates after Russia seizes Ukraine naval ships”

“Russia blocks passage in Kerch Strait Near Crimea, Deploys Su-25 Jets And Ka-52 Attack Helicopters.”