View source for Ukrainian Navy

{{Short description|Naval warfare branch of the armed forces of Ukraine}}
{{Warning|This article is currently affected by the ongoing [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]. Any given information provided here may become quickly dated or inaccurate due to the developing situation. Be aware that truly accurate information may not be available until the war is over. '''If a ship was confirmed to have been lost in combat, PLEASE move it [[List of former warships of the Ukrainian Navy#Vessels lost and captured during the Russo-Ukrainian War (2022)|HERE]].'''}}
{{Lead rewrite|date=September 2023|reason=too much detail - please rewrite to summarize the article}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Ukrainian Naval Forces
| native_name                   = Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ
| image                         = Emblem of the Ukrainian Navy.svg
| image_size                    = 150px
| caption                       = Emblem of the Ukrainian Naval Forces
| dates                         = 1917–1921<br>1992–present
| size                          = 11.000 {{small|(2022)}}<ref name="The Military Balance2022">{{cite book | title = The Military Balance 2022 | date = February 2022 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vOFeEAAAQBAJ&dq=ukrainian+army+196600&pg=PA945 | publisher = [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] | isbn = 9781000620030 }}</ref>
| type                          = [[Navy]]
| role                          = [[Naval warfare]]
| command_structure             = {{military|Ukraine}}
| country                       = {{UKR}}
| garrison                      = [[Odesa]]
| garrison_label                = 
| battle_honours                = 
[[Ukrainian–Soviet War]]
[[Anti-piracy measures in Somalia#Vessels in operation|Anti-piracy operations in Somalia]]
[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]
| disbanded                     = 
| colors                        = {{color box|#005BBB}} Blue<br />{{color box|#FFD500}} Gold
| colors_label                  = Colors
| march                         = ''March of the VMS of Ukraine'' (Марш ВМС України)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armyinform.com.ua/2020/09/marsh-vms-ukrayiny-zvuchav-i-na-arbati/|title = Марш ВМС України звучав і на Арбаті}}</ref>
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1                    = [[Vice Admiral]]<ref name="president.gov.us">[https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/2462022-42141 УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №246/2022 Про присвоєння військового звання], (16 April 2022)</ref> [[Oleksiy Neizhpapa]]<ref name="neizhpapa11032862">[https://www.unian.info/m/politics/military-appointment-zelensky-taps-rear-admiral-neizhpapa-to-command-navy-11032862.html Zelensky taps Rear Admiral Neizhpapa to command Ukraine's Navy (Photo)], [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] (11 June 2020)</ref>
| commander1_label              = [[Commander of the Navy (Ukraine)|Commander]]
| commander2                    = 
| commander2_label              = 
| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Ukraine.svg|150px|border|Ensign of Ukrainian Navy]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Ensign
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval jack of Ukraine.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Jack
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Ukrainian Navy Pennant.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = [[Commissioning pennant|Pennant]]
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:НЗ ВМС.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = Shoulder sleeve insignia{{efn|Adopted in 2016.}}
| anniversaries                 = [[Navy Day (Ukraine)|Navy Day]]<ref name=pndfsj>{{cite news |url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/271853.html |title=Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=12 June 2015 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304084453/http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/271853.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=july>{{cite web|url=http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/22498.html |title=President signs Decree On Celebration of Some Memorable Dates and Professional Holidays |website=President.gov.ua |date=30 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122012615/http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/22498.html |archive-date=2012-01-22 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3NJt5Un2AEAC&q=Ukrainian+%22Navy+day%22&pg=PA781 |title=The Global Road Warrior: 100 Country Handbook for the International Business Traveler |edition=3rd |first=Joe |last=Reif |publisher=[[World Trade Press]] |location=Novato, California |date=2001 |isbn=1-885073-86-0 |pages=781 |access-date=2016-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204213432/https://books.google.com/books?id=3NJt5Un2AEAC&pg=PA781&dq=Ukrainian+%22Navy+day%22&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=46oIT6PvJcKAOojRxZsB&ved=0CEMQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Ukrainian%20%22Navy%20day%22&f=false |archive-date=2016-02-04 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AsQzDd41doAC&q=Ukrainian+Navy++August+1%2C+1992&pg=PA250 |title=Ukraine Intelligence & Security Activities and Operations Handbook |volume=1 |publisher=[[International Business Publications, USA]] |location=Washington, D.C. |date=2009 |isbn=978-0-7397-1661-8 |pages=250 |access-date=2016-02-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511133159/https://books.google.com/books?id=AsQzDd41doAC&pg=PA250&lpg=PA250&dq=Ukrainian+Navy++August+1,+1992&source=bl&ots=yJuER86KK2&sig=bCgBoY4nj2wTJXZMp0piUt8MwuQ&hl=nl&sa=X&ei=O68IT9fTGY3m-gaxoPXGCw&sqi=2&ved=0CEUQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Ukrainian%20Navy%20%20August%201%2C%201992&f=false |archive-date=2016-05-11 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| website                       = {{URL|navy.mil.gov.ua/en/}}}}
The '''Ukrainian Navy''' ({{langx|uk|Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ|lit=Military Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine|Viiskovo–morski syly Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, VMS ZSU}}), is the [[Navy|maritime force]] of [[Ukraine]] and one of the eight [[Military branch|service branches]] of the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].

The naval forces consist of five components: surface forces, submarine forces, [[Ukrainian Naval Aviation|naval aviation]], coastal rocket-artillery and [[Marine Corps (Ukraine)|naval infantry]].<ref name=BMC>{{cite web|url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=structure&sub=navy |title=The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine |website=mil.gov.ua |date=1996-08-17 |access-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805142907/http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=structure&sub=navy |archive-date=August 5, 2012 }}</ref> In 2022, the Ukrainian Navy had 15,000 personnel, including 6,000 [[naval infantry]].<ref name="The Military Balance2022"/> It is headquartered in [[Odesa]]; prior to the 2014 [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], it was based in [[Sevastopol]].<ref name="BMC" />

Ukraine's navy was composed largely of remnants of the [[Black Sea Fleet|Soviet Black Sea Fleet]]. Ukraine had sought to update and expand its naval forces,<ref>[http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/325-2005-%D1%80 Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (9 August 2005)]. [[Verkhovna Rada]] website.</ref><ref>[http://zakon1.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/220-2006-%D0%BF Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (1 March 2006)].[[Verkhovna Rada]] website.</ref> including planning a [[project 58250|new class of frigates]],<ref name="gsvtg">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/project-58250.htm |title=Project 58250 Corvette / Hayduk-21/Gaiduk-21 Volodymyr Velyky ["Vladimir the Great"] |website=globalsecurity.org |date=24 July 2014 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305082430/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/project-58250.htm |archive-date=5 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> patrol boats,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14929:willard-marine-to-supply-patrol-boats-to-ukraine&catid=73&Itemid=65|title=Willard Marine to supply patrol boats to Ukraine|website=bairdmaritime.com|date=4 February 2014|access-date=14 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605101259/http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=14929:willard-marine-to-supply-patrol-boats-to-ukraine&catid=73&Itemid=65|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> and [[Gyurza-M-class gunboat|gunboats]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.azeridefence.com/ukrainian-navy-to-receive-two-gyurza-m-boats/|publisher=Azeri Defence|title=Ukrainian Navy to receive two Gyurza-M boats|date=9 November 2015|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305183554/http://en.azeridefence.com/ukrainian-navy-to-receive-two-gyurza-m-boats/|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>  However, since the ongoing [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russian invasion]] of the country began in February 2022, the Ukrainian Navy has been severely diminished; all its largest warships have been lost,<ref name="doesnthave" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Has No Navy. But It's Hammering Russia In The Black Sea |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-navy-black-sea-russia/32826343.html |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=How the Ukrainians – with no navy – defeated Russia’s Black Sea Fleet |url=https://theconversation.com/how-the-ukrainians-with-no-navy-defeated-russias-black-sea-fleet-234259 |website=The Conversation}}</ref> with [[Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sahaidachny|its flagship]] being scuttled a month into the war to prevent capture.

The Ukrainian Navy previously operated in the [[Black Sea]], including the [[Sea of Azov]] and [[Danube]] Delta; additionally, it took part in multinational efforts such as [[Operation Active Endeavour]] and [[Operation Atalanta]] in the Mediterranean and [[Horn of Africa]], respectively. However, Russia has since gained complete control of the Sea of Azov and significant control of the Black Sea during the ongoing conflict.<ref name="BMC" />

Despite its reduced size and capabilities, Ukrainian naval forces remain operationally active through [[Asymmetric warfare|asymmetrical warfare]] and the use of [[Sea Drone|sea drones]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kirichenko |first=David |date=2023-09-26 |title=Ukraine sea drones outsmarting Russia's superior navy |url=http://asiatimes.com/2023/09/ukraine-sea-drones-outsmarting-russias-superior-navy/ |access-date=2023-09-26 |website=Asia Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-08-04 |title=Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66402046 |access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> The Ukrainian Navy has successfully challenged its Russian counterpart in the Black Sea through innovative tactics and technologies.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Eckel |first=Mike |date=2024-02-19 |title=Ukraine Has No Navy. But It's Hammering Russia In The Black Sea. |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-navy-black-sea-russia/32826343.html |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Santora |first=Marc |date=2023-11-12 |title=How Ukraine, With No Warships, Is Thwarting Russia’s Navy |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/europe/ukraine-navy-admiral-black-sea.html?login=apple&auth=login-apple&login=google&auth=login-google |access-date=2025-05-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==History==

===Zaporizhian (Ukrainian) Cossacks Fleet, {{circa|1600s}}===

The Ukrainian Naval Forces trace their origins to the [[Zaporizhian Sich]] Cossacks, who would frequently raid [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] settlements along the Black Sea coast. Cossacks used small ships called ''chaikas'', which were similar in design to Viking long ships. Although technologically inferior to the Turks, the Cossacks had great success against their opponent. In 1614, the Cossack forces were able to raid and destroy [[Trabzon]].<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.geocities.com/unavy/aCossack1.html |publisher=Web Cite |title=Cossack Navy 16th – 17th Centuries |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020001446/http://geocities.com/unavy/aCossack1.html |archive-date=October 20, 2009 }}</ref>

In 1615, the Cossacks were able to mount a raid on [[Istanbul]] itself, destroying several suburbs of the city. In 1616, a Cossack fleet was able to reach the [[Bosphorus]], once again raiding the surrounding countryside. A Turkish fleet sent to destroy the Cossack forces was defeated in 1617. The Cossacks once again managed to mount an attack on Istanbul in 1625, forcing the [[Sultan]] to temporarily flee the capital.<ref name=":0" />

The Cossacks used several strategies to attack the larger Ottoman naval forces, such as positioning their ships during battle in a way where the sun was always at their back. The Cossack ships were small with a low profile, making them hard to hit by cannon. Cossacks were typically armed with small arm muskets, and during battle had the goal of killing the crew and boarding the ship to take it over, rather than sinking the ship.<ref name=":0" />

===Ukrainian People's Republic navy (1917–1921)===
{{see also|Navy of the Ukrainian People's Republic}}
[[File:Медаль Украинского Флота.jpg|thumb|305px|A medal of the Ukrainian fleet of April 29, 1918]]
[[File:Донец.PNG|thumb|right|305px|Gunboat "Donets" of Ukrainian Naval Forces, July–November 1918]]
[[File:Интернированные в польских лагерях морские пехотинцы УНР, 1920 г.jpg|thumb|right|305px|Ukrainian marines in 1921]]
[[File:Sevastopol1918e.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ukrainian warships in the port of [[Sevastopol]], 1918]]
During [[1917 Russian Revolution]], several ships of the Russian Imperial Navy's [[Black Sea Fleet]], commanded and crewed by ethnic Ukrainians, declared themselves the Navy of the newly autonomous [[Ukrainian People's Republic]]. Black Sea Fleet commander [[Mikhail Sablin]] raised the colours of the Ukrainian National Republic on 29 April 1918.<ref>[http://ukrainianweek.com/History/22688 Operation Fleet For Ukraine], [[The Ukrainian Week]] (16 May 2011)</ref><ref>{{in lang|ru}} [https://ru.krymr.com/a/interactive-map/29189950.html Crimean campaign of Peter Bolbochan in 1918], [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] (April 2018)</ref> Few further steps on establishing a navy were made as the Ukrainian government lost control over coastal territories.

After the Revolution 1917 the [[Central Committee of the Black Sea Fleet]]. was in command.

The Ukrainian People's Republic aspired to take control of the Fleet. On 17 October 1917 the 2nd rank Captain Ye.Akimov was appointed the representative of the [[Central Council of Ukraine]] at the command of the Black Sea Fleet. The General Secretariat for Naval Affairs was established within the government of the [[Central Rada]] in [[Kyiv]] (in January 1918 it was reformed in a Ministry). The head of it became D. Antonovich. The Main Navy Staff was led by Captain [[Jerzy Świrski]]. For the educational and agitational purposes of the seamen the Central Rada seconded the commissars to [[Odesa]], [[Mykolaiv]], [[Kherson]] and Sevastopol. On 22 December 1917 the Naval Ministry in Kyiv was established.

Starting October 1917 the crews of the ships established military councils; the [[Flag of Ukraine|blue-yellow flags]] were flying from the masts. The ships {{ill|Russian destroyer Zavidny|lt=''Zavidny''|ru|Завидный (эсминец)}} and [[Russian cruiser Pamiat Merkuria (1907)]] were the first examples.

In November 1917 in Sevastopol was established the [[Sahaidachny]] Sea Battalion ([[kurin]]) which on 24 November 1917 was sent to Kyiv to extinguish Bolshevik uprisings and participated in the [[Kiev Arsenal January Uprising]].

On 22 November 1917 the whole crew of the newest and most powerful warship of the Black Sea Fleet ''Volya'' swore fealty to the Central Rada, followed soon by several ships and submarines. In December 1917 the Black Seas Fleet squadron under Ukrainian flags led by the [[Russian battleship Imperator Aleksandr III]] and included another cruiser and three destroyers participated in the evacuation of the 127th Infantry Division from Trabzon back to [[Ukraine]].

On 29 December 1917 most of the Black Sea Fleet was taken over by Bolsheviks.

As part of [[Operation Faustschlag]] [[German Empire]] forces had been advancing on Sevastopol with a goal to capture the Black Sea Fleet. Having no support from the land forces, Admiral Sablin was forced enter negotiations regarding cessation of hostilities. The [[History of Germany during World War I|Germans]] however rejected the armistice proposals and the advance continued. In April 1918 German and Ukrainian troops [[Crimea Operation (1918)|invaded Crimea]].

On 29 April 1918, fleet-commanding Rear-admiral Sablin (Russian) gave an order to hoist Ukrainian national flags over all ships in Sevastopol (the medal to the right commemorates that event). That day he was appointed commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Navy. A telegram to Kyiv was sent from the staff ship ''Georgiy Pobedonosets'' “Effective today the Sevastopol fortress and the Fleet in Sevastopol raised the Ukrainian flag. Admiral Sablin assumed the command of the Fleet”. Having no reply the admiral ordered to repeat the telegram beginning with the words “Comrades of Kiev Central Rada...”.

Sablin was unaware that at that moment the Central Rada in Kyiv was already history. The Germans started to occupy Sevastopol, because the Bolsheviks began to lead away ships. Centroflot (the combined fleet revolutionary committee), in order to save the Fleet, took a decision to move it to [[Novorossiysk]]. But on 30 April 1918, only the small part of the fleet under command of Admiral Sablin, which trusted the Bolsheviks, headed for Novorossiysk and hoisted Russian St. Andrew (saltire) ensigns. The greater part of the Ukrainian fleet remained in Sevastopol – there were 30 destroyers and torpedo boats, 25 auxiliaries, 7 battleships and small craft as well as 15 submarines left in Sevastopol under Admiral Myhaylo Ostrogradskiy who in this situation assumed command.

On 1 May 1918 Germans captured the ships remaining in Sevastopol, because the actions of Bolsheviks violated the peace agreement. On 17 June 1918, 1 dreadnought and 6 destroyers returned from Novorossiysk to Sevastopol, where they were also captured. The greater part of the ships remaining in Novorossiysk were destroyed by their own crews on [[Lenin]]'s command. In July–November 1918 Germans gradually transferred many ships to the command of Ukrainian government ([[Hetman]] [[Pavlo Skoropadskyi]]).

The main Ukrainian sea power concentrated in Odesa and Mykolaiv was more than 20 minesweepers, 7 small cruisers, 1 dreadnought and more than 30 auxiliaries. In Sevastopol there were only 2 old battleships under Ukrainian flags. On 18 July 1918 the Naval Ministry in Kyiv established new naval ensigns and some rank flags (e.g. flag of Naval Minister, flag of Deputy Minister). The old Russian jack remained as Ukrainian naval jack. It was regarded as symbol of glory of Black Sea Fleet, whose crews were in large part previously Ukrainian. On 17 September Germans gives Ukraine 17 U-boats.

In December 1918, when naval forces of [[Allies of World War I|the Entente]] were approaching Sevastopol, Ukrainian Rear-admiral V. Klokhkovskyy commanded all ships to hoist [[Order of St. Andrew|Russian St. Andrew (saltire) ensigns]]. It was a demonstration of good intentions for the Entente. However, the Entente captured the Black Sea Fleet and subsequently transferred it to the [[White movement|Russian "White" forces]]. In Ukrainian hands remained only small in numbers subdivisions of marines. Ukrainian naval authorities existed until 1921.

[[File:Память меркурия флаг украины 1917.jpg|thumbnail|Blue and yellow flag on cruiser ''Pamiat Merkuria'', November 1917]]

===Contemporary Navy of Ukraine===
====Independence and the "Battle for the oath"====
[[File:Naval jack of Ukraine (1992).svg|thumb|Ukraine's naval jack in 1992]]
The origins of the contemporary Ukrainian Naval Forces intertwined with the fate of the [[Soviet Black Sea Fleet]] and with the modern history of the [[Crimea]]. Following the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] (1991), the administration of the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] passed to the Joint Armed Forces of the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS) for a transitional period pending agreement on the division of the ex-Soviet military between members of the [[former Soviet Union]]. [[Marshal of Aviation]] [[Yevgeny Shaposhnikov]] became commander of the Joint CIS Armed Forces command on 14 February 1992.

On 6 December 1991 the [[Supreme Council of Ukraine]] (Verkhovna Rada) adopted a resolution on the laws of Ukraine "About the Defense of Ukraine" and "About the Armed Forces of Ukraine", as well as the text of a military oath. On the same day, in the [[parliament of Ukraine]] chamber, the [[Minister of Defense of Ukraine]], [[Kostyantyn Morozov]], became the first person to take the oath. On 10 December 1991 the Supreme Council of Ukraine ratified the [[Belavezha Accords]].

On 12 December 1991 the [[President of Ukraine]] issued [[ukase]] #4, ordering all military formations based in Ukraine to pledge allegiance by 20 January 1992. The vast majority of the Black Sea Fleet ignored the order. On 1 January 1992 the newspaper ''Vympyel'' of the Black Sea Fleet [[Filipp Oktyabrskiy]] Training unit (edited by Captain-Lieutenant Mykola Huk) published the military oath and the anthem of Ukraine in the [[Ukrainian language]].

On 3 January 1992 Ukraine started the practical formation of its national armed forces. On 8 January 1992 the Officers' Assembly of the Black Sea Fleet appealed to all leaders of the CIS to recognise the Black Sea Fleet as an operational-strategic formation and not subordinate to Ukraine. On 12 January 1992, the brigade of [[Soviet Border Troops|border troops]] in [[Balaklava]] (Sevastopol) became the first military formation to pledge allegiance to Ukraine.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=http://zakon.nau.ua/doc/?code=997_142 |title=Text of the agreement on oath in the strategic formations |publisher=Zakon.nau.ua |date=1992-01-16 |access-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030090703/http://zakon.nau.ua/doc/?code=997_142 |archive-date=October 30, 2014 }}</ref>

On 14 January 1992 the Governor of Sevastopol appealed to the Supreme Councils of both Ukraine and the Russian Federation, urging faster adoption of a decision on the status of the Black Sea Fleet. On 16 January 1992, an agreement between the CIS members was signed on the oath in strategic formations.<ref name=":1"/>

On 18 January 1992, the 3rd company of the divers school became the first formation of the Black Sea Fleet to pledge their allegiance to Ukraine, along with the Maritime Department of the Sevastopol Institute of Instrument Engineering. On the next day, forty-six naval pilots pledged their allegiance to Ukraine at the central square (''Ploshcha Lenina'') of Mykolaiv.

Black Sea Fleet military personnel previously under the oath of the Soviet Armed Forces did not hasten to pledge allegiance to the newly formed state. First Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy [[Admiral of the Fleet (Soviet Union)|Fleet Admiral]] [[Ivan Kapitanets]] issued a directive: "to apply severe sanctions, including dismissal from office and separation from service to officers, midshipmen, and warrant officers who create an unhealthy situation in military communities that are prone to treason and taking the oath of allegiance to Ukraine". Nonetheless, on 26 January 1992 the 17th Brigade of Ships for the Guarding the Water Area of the Crimea Naval Base followed the example of the divers.<ref name="vms-hist"/>

Right before the [[Soviet Army Day|Soviet Army and Navy Day]] (23 February) on 22 February, the 880th Independent Naval Infantry Battalion of Black Sea Fleet pledged allegiance to Ukraine. The battalion had been recognized{{by whom|date=October 2014}} as the best formation of the fleet in 1991. The Main Navy Staff in Moscow issued an order to dissolve the battalion. After the incident, all military units of the Black Sea Fleet recruited exclusively Russians{{citation needed|date=April 2018}}.

According to estimations by the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]], in January 1992 the Black Sea Fleet accounted for 80,000 servicemen, 69 major warships including 3 aircraft carriers, 6 missile cruisers, 29 submarines, 235 warplanes and helicopters, and great number of ships of auxiliary fleet.<ref name=forum86>[http://diasporiana.org.ua/wp-content/uploads/books/12761/file.pdf What is Black Sea Fleet Worth?]. "Forum, a Ukrainian review" at Diasporiana. No.86. Summer, 1992. page 35.</ref> Without informing Ukraine with which it supposed to share control over the Black Sea Fleet in a framework of the Joint Armed Forces Command, the Russian Federation was selling away several ships.<ref name=forum86/>

From the beginning of the post-Soviet period, relationships between Russia and Ukraine were tense. In January 1992 the [[Supreme Soviet of Russia]] raised the question of the political status of Crimea ([[Crimean Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Crimean ASSR]]) and of the constitutionality of the 1954 decision to transfer of [[Crimean Oblast]] of the [[Russian SFSR]] to the [[Ukrainian SSR]], accusing [[Nikita Khrushchev]] of treason against the [[Russian people]]. Although never annulled,{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} many Russian parliamentarians refused to recognize the legal document, pointing out the procedural errors during its adoption.

The Ukrainian side issued reminders of the number of international treaties and agreements between the two countries, such as the 19 November 1990 treaty between the Russian SFSR and the Ukrainian SSR, in which both sides recognized the territorial integrity of the other, as well as the Belavezha Accords (an agreement on creation of the CIS) of 8 December 1991 and the [[Alma-Ata Protocol]] of 21 December 1991.

Noticing not much reaction from the Black Sea Fleet command located on the territory of Ukraine, on 5 April 1992 the President of Ukraine issued Decree #209 "About urgent measures on development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine", which accused the [[Russian Federation]] and the Joint Armed Forces command of intervening in the internal affairs of Ukraine. On 6 April 1992, a session of the 6th Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian SFSR refused to accept the Belavezha agreement as previously ratified by the Supreme Council of the Russian SFSR (on 12 December 1991). Also, on 6 April 1992, the President of Ukraine appointed [[Borys Kozhyn]] as the Commander of Ukrainian Naval Forces. The next day, the [[President of Russia]] issued a Decree "On the transfer of the Black Sea Fleet under jurisdiction of the Russian Federation". On 9 April 1992, the effect of both decrees were suspended until the end of the Russian-Ukrainian talks.

====Ukrainian division of the Black Sea Fleet (1991–1997)====

[[File:Boat U170 Skadovsk 2012 G1.jpg|thumbnail|Ukrainian Navy artillery boat ''Zhuk'' class U170 ''Skadovs'k'' off the [[Bay of Sevastopol]], [[Crimea]]]]

In September 1991, an office of the [[:uk:Спілка офіцерів України|Society of Ukrainian Officers]] was opened in Sevastopol on the initiative of Major [[Volodymyr Kholodyuk]] and captains-lieutenant [[Ihor Tenyukh]] and [[Mykola Huk]].<ref name="vms-hist">{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Navy History |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/vms-hist.htm |website=globalsecurity.org |date=27 March 2014 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303200357/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/vms-hist.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The society became the initiator and nucleus of the organization of the Ukrainian Naval Forces.

On 7 April 1992 at 17:00, 37 officers of the administration and headquarters of the Crimean Naval Base (an administrative entity and not a physical "base") pledged their allegiance and loyalty to people of Ukraine. Rear Admiral Borys Kozhyn, who was in charge, was not present at that time of the event. He was in the office of [[Ivan Yermakov]] accepting a proposition of the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ukraine to become the commander of the future Ukrainian Naval Forces.

On 8 April 1992 the Minister of Defense signed a directive "About creation of the Ukrainian Naval Forces". On 13 April 1992 an organizational group was established on creation of the Ukrainian Naval Forces, which upset the command of the Black Sea Fleet.

The current history of the Ukrainian Naval Forces began on 1 August 1992, when it was formally established by order of the President of Ukraine [[Leonid Kravchuk]]. This was followed by a long and controversial [[Black Sea Fleet dispute|dispute]] and [[Black Sea Fleet#Partition of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet|partition of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet]] between newly independent Ukraine and the Russian Federation.

[[File:SKR-112-Ukraine.png|thumb|600 px|right|''SKR-112'' on 20 July 1992]]
One of the episodes of this process was the story of ''[[SKR-112]]'' – effectively the first Ukrainian Navy ship.<ref name=uknavy>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/vms.htm |title=Ukrainian Navy |website=globalsecurity.org |date=26 April 2014 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721134518/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/ukraine/vms.htm |archive-date=21 July 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref> On 20 July 1992, the crew of ''SKR-112'' declared itself a Ukrainian ship and raised the Ukrainian flag. The Navy headquarters in Moscow considered this a [[mutiny]] and attempted to act accordingly. The ship left its base on the Crimean peninsula bound for [[Odesa]], causing a chase and ramming attempts by ships still loyal to Moscow. Soon several other ships, auxiliary vessels, and coastal units of the Black Sea Fleet followed ''SKR-112''{{'}}s decision but with less violent outcomes.

It was only in 1997 that the ships and equipment of the Black Sea Fleet were officially divided between the two countries. The new Russian formation retained its historic name "Black Sea Fleet". Under the terms of a negotiated lease agreement it was also granted rights to use the majority of its bases on the Crimea Peninsula, Ukraine on a renewable ten-year [[lease]] basis at least until 2017.

The newly established Ukrainian Naval Forces received dozens of vessels (mostly obsolete or inoperative, not unlike some of those retained by Russia) and some shore-based infrastructure. The Russian Navy lost several important facilities, most notably the ''NITKA'' (Russian acronym for "Scientific testing simulator for shipborne aviation") [[naval aviation]] training facility in [[Saky]], and the [[special forces]] base in [[Ochakiv]]. The process of fleet division remained painful since many aspects of the two navies' co-existence were under-regulated, causing recurring conflicts.

====Lack of financing and neglect (1998–2014)====
[[File:Українсько-американське навчання “Сі Бриз - 2016” (28075162974).jpg|right|thumb|The [[Krivak-class frigate|Krivak III-class]] frigate {{ship|Ukrainian frigate|Hetman Sahaydachniy|U130|2}} was the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy until 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/kozhara-hetman-sahaidachny-frigate-to-join-natos-anti-piracy-operation/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130917123531/http://www.interfax.co.uk/ukraine-news/kozhara-hetman-sahaidachny-frigate-to-join-natos-anti-piracy-operation/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 September 2013 |title=Kozhara: Hetman Sahaidachny frigate to join NATO's anti-piracy operation |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=17 September 2013}}</ref>]]

From 1997 due to lack of financing and neglect most of the Ukrainian naval units have been scrapped or poorly maintained. By 2009, only the [[frigate]] {{ship|Ukrainian frigate|Hetman Sahaydachniy|U130|2}}, originally built to be a Soviet Border Guards ship, was capable of long endurance missions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://day.kiev.ua/277204/ |title=The Destruction of a Squadron. A sequel |publisher=Day.kiev.ua |access-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717050438/http://www.day.kiev.ua/277204/ |archive-date=July 17, 2012 }}</ref>

Joint exercises of the Ukrainian Naval Forces and the Russian Black Sea Fleet resumed after a seven-year interval in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=14908782&PageNum=0 |title=Ukraine and Russia to resume joint naval exercises |agency=[[Information Telegraph Agency of Russia]] |date=12 March 2010}} {{dead link|date=March 2014}}</ref>

The Ukrainian naval assets, as those of the other branches of the armed forces, consisted mainly of [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era equipment. No major plan for modernization emerged, except for a new corvette design completed in 2009 but not built.<ref name=uknavy/>

On 19 December 2008, [[United States Ambassador to Ukraine]] [[William B. Taylor, Jr.]] stated that Ukrainian Defense Minister [[Yuriy Yekhanurov]] and [[US Defense Secretary]] [[Robert Gates]] were discussing the purchase by Ukraine of one to three [[U.S. Navy]] frigates.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/3523/ |title=The Washington Charter on Strategic Partnership confirms guarantees of Ukraine's security, says U.S. ambassador |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=22 December 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815184924/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/3523/ |archive-date=August 15, 2009 }}</ref>

In December 2009, the design for a new [[Volodymyr Velykyi-class corvette|''Volodymyr Velykyi''-class corvette]] (designed exclusively by Ukraine and to be built at Ukrainian shipyards) for the Ukrainian Naval Forces was completed.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/21808/ |title=Yushchenko pressed for the development of a new Ukrainian corvette |agency=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |date=12 October 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110521002352/http://www.interfax.com.ua/eng/main/21808/ |archive-date=May 21, 2011 }}</ref> That month the [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|Ukrainian defense ministry]] and Chernomorsky Shipyard (Mykolaiv) signed a contract upon results of the governmental tender for corvettes. The Shipbuilding Research and Design Center (Mykolaiv) was selected the project developer.

If built, the ship was supposed to operate in the Black and the Mediterranean seas. Her endurance would be 30 days, and her [[Displacement (ship)|displacement]] 2,500 tons. Leading European arms manufacturers like DCNS, MBDA, and EuroTorp were to deliver weapons for the project. Commissioning of the lead ship was scheduled for 2016. There was a plan to build four corvettes before 2021. According to the corvette construction program approved by Ukrainian government in March 2011, the overall amount of program financing till 2021 would be about ₴16.22 billion.

In 2007 and prior to the [[2014 Russian annexation of Crimea]], 15,470 people served in the Ukrainian navy.<ref name="unbsa2715">{{cite news |date=29 August 2015 |title=Ukraine's navy barely recovering from its near-death experience |newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]] |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/ukraines-navy-barely-recovering-from-its-near-death-experience-396689.html |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110143759/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv-post-plus/ukraines-navy-barely-recovering-from-its-near-death-experience-396689.html |archive-date=10 January 2016 |df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukrainian Armed Forces 2007 White Book |url=http://www.mil.gov.ua/files/white_book/white_book_uk2007.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20080408212532/http://www.mil.gov.ua/files/white_book/white_book_uk2007.pdf |archive-date=April 8, 2008 |access-date=April 8, 2008 |website=mil.gov.ua |pages=111 |language=uk |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

;Anti-piracy operations in Somalia
A Ukrainian ship carrying military cargo was hijacked off the coast of Somalia on 23 September 2008. The ship was released on 6 February 2009. All commercial news sources reported that the vessel was released after a ransom had been paid. Ukrainian officials, however, stated that special forces eliminated the pirates and retook the ship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/05/somali-pirates-free-military-ship|title=Somali pirates release Ukrainian arms ship|work=The Guardian|date=6 February 2009|last1=Jones|first1=Sam|last2=McGreal|first2=Chris|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030220705/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/feb/05/somali-pirates-free-military-ship|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In October 2013 Ukraine deployed its [[flagship]], the frigate ''Hetman Sahaydachniy'', as part of NATO's [[Operation Ocean Shield]] anti-piracy mission in the [[Gulf of Aden]]. The ship was deployed for a 3-month mission and operated alongside the Norwegian frigate {{ship|HNoMS|Fridtjof Nansen|F310|6}}, the Royal [[Denmark|Danish]] frigate {{ship|HDMS|Esbern Snare|L17|6}}, and the US Navy's frigate {{USS|De Wert|FFG-45|6}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_103997.htm|title=NATO – News: Ukraine contributes to NATO's Ocean Shield, 10-Oct.-2013|publisher=NATO|date=10 October 2013|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030203405/http://www.nato.int/cps/en/natolive/news_103997.htm|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The Naval Forces of Ukraine once again deployed ''Hetman Sahaydachniy'' with an anti-submarine [[Ka-27]] helicopter aboard to the coast of Somalia as part of the [[European Union]]'s [[Operation Atalanta]] on 3 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.for-ua.com/news/2014/01/03/120845.html |title=Frigate "Hetman Sahaydachniy" joins EU's operation "Atlanta" - ForUm |access-date=August 18, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085926/http://en.for-ua.com/news/2014/01/03/120845.html |archive-date=August 19, 2014 }}</ref> The ship was recalled on 3 March 2014 to Ukraine in response to the [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]].

====Russian annexation of Crimea====
{{Main|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation}}

Prior to 2014, Ukraine maintained a very modest naval force for a nation that lacked shores with any of the world's oceans. The majority of the bases of the Ukrainian Navy,<ref name="711424109Slavutych"/> along with 12,000 of Ukraine's 15,450 Navy personnel were stationed in Crimea.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} On 24 March 2014, at least 12 of Ukraine's 17 ships in Sevastopol were seized by Russia,<ref name="auto5">{{cite web|url=http://www.mail.com/int/news/europe/2726272-pro-russian-crowds-seize-3-ukrainian-warships.html#.1258-stage-hero1-2) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321042623/http://www.mail.com/int/news/europe/2726272-pro-russian-crowds-seize-3-ukrainian-warships.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-03-21 |title=Pro-Russian crowds seize 3 Ukrainian warships – Europe news |publisher=Mail.com |date=2014-03-20 |access-date=2014-04-23 }}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/724676|title=Over 70 military units in Crimea hoist Russian flags|newspaper=[[Russian News Agency TASS|TASS]]|date=20 March 2014|access-date=14 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326062812/http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/724676|archive-date=26 March 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> while the ensuing conflict saw two Ukrainian navy officers killed by Russian marines.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-military-idUSBREA360GB20140407|title=Russian marine kills Ukraine navy officer in Crimea, says ministry|agency=Reuters|date=April 7, 2014|work=Reuters.com}}</ref>
 
Ukraine lost control of its Navy's main underground ammunition-storage site at the [[Inkerman]] valley, outside Sevastopol, as well as of its helicopter-repair facilities. The Navy's 750-strong 1st Naval Infantry Battalion at [[Feodosia]] was arrested and its equipment seized.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/35861/ukrainian-navy-decimated-by-russian-move-into-crimea |title=Ukrainian navy decimated by Russian move into Crimea |last=Ripley |first=Tim |date=25 March 2014 |work=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325234737/http://www.janes.com/article/35861/ukrainian-navy-decimated-by-russian-move-into-crimea |archive-date=2014-03-25 }}</ref> The Ukrainian Navy also lost all its [[missile boat]]s.<ref name="711424109Slavutych">{{in lang|uk}} [https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/articles/2020/09/11/7114241 Zelensky's Mosquito Fleet: Details of Negotiations with Britain Capable of Changing Ukrainian Navy], [[Ukrainska Pravda]] (11 September 2020)</ref> In addition, 51 mainly auxiliaries ships were lost, though most were eventually returned to Ukraine after a brief internment.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}

In 2015, the Ukrainian navy had 6,500 personnel.<ref name="unbsa2715" />

The [[Ukrainian Marine Corps|Ukrainian Naval Infantry]] was equally affected by the crisis as Russian forces besieged them within their bases. Russia eventually confiscated all military equipment of the naval infantry stationed in Crimea, including the assets of the [[Ukrainian Naval Aviation]], though several planes and helicopters managed to make their way to mainland Ukraine prior to the Russian incorporation of Crimea. The 10th Saky Naval Aviation Brigade, controlling all the Ukrainian Navy's air units, managed to get a number of its aircraft airborne to bases in mainland Ukraine on 5 March 2014.<ref>{{cite news |first=Tim |last=Ripley |title=Ukrainian Navy decimated by Russian move into Crimea |work=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |date=2 April 2014 |pages=17}}</ref> However, more than a dozen aircraft and helicopters undergoing maintenance had to be abandoned{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}.

In the aftermath, the Ukraine Navy relocated its main operational base to its Western Naval Base in Odesa. The current fleet consists of 11, mostly small operational ships, one frigate commissioned in 1993 and four corvettes. Russia also returned a {{sclass2|Polnocny|landing ship}} to Ukraine, restoring Ukraine's amphibious assault capabilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/world/story.html?id%3Dc03d6798-e722-4ef3-913d-c3f70fd5240a |title=Russia returns Ukraine's tanks, but keeps ships |access-date=September 20, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402145224/http://www2.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/world/story.html?id=c03d6798-e722-4ef3-913d-c3f70fd5240a |archive-date=April 2, 2015 }}</ref> On 8 April 2014, an agreement was reached between Russia and Ukraine to return interned vessels to Ukraine and "for the withdrawal of an undisclosed number of Ukrainian aircraft seized in Crimea".<ref name=JDW12414>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/36695/russia-begins-returning-ukraine-naval-vessels-and-aircraft |title=Russia begins returning Ukraine naval vessels and aircraft |work=[[Jane's Defence Weekly]] |date=12 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418042848/http://www.janes.com/article/36695/russia-begins-returning-ukraine-naval-vessels-and-aircraft |archive-date=April 18, 2014 }}</ref>

Russian Navy sources had claimed the Ukrainian ships were "not operational because they are old, obsolete, and in poor condition".<ref name=JDW12414/> 35 ships were returned before Russia unilaterally suspended the return of the remainder, alleging that [[war in Donbas (2014–2022)#July 2014: post-ceasefire government offensive|Ukraine had failed to renew its unilaterally declared ceasefire on 1 July 2014]] in the [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|war in Donbas]].<ref name="korrespondent.net">{{cite web |url=http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3401903-korrespondent-na-malenkom-flotu-na-chto-seichas-sposobny-ostatky-ukraynskoho-flota |script-title=ru:Флот Украины 2014 – на что сейчас способны остатки украинского флота |work=Korrespondent.net |last=Seleznev |first=Denis |language=ru |date=6 August 2014 |access-date=30 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022072617/http://korrespondent.net/ukraine/politics/3401903-korrespondent-na-malenkom-flotu-na-chto-seichas-sposobny-ostatky-ukraynskoho-flota |archive-date=22 October 2014 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref name=ukfeb18>{{cite web |url=http://rus.newsru.ua/ukraine/18feb2016/tytan_2.html |script-title=ru:Мексика вернёт Украине судно, захваченное Россией во время аннексии Крыма |language=ru |website=news.ru.ua |date=18 February 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160722064224/http://rus.newsru.ua/ukraine/18feb2016/tytan_2.html |archive-date=22 July 2016 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> 16 minor auxiliary ships are yet to be returned to Ukraine.<ref name=ukfeb18/><ref name="korrespondent.net"/>

The majority of the forces regrouped in Odesa, with the coast guard relocating its relatively small force to [[Mariupol]] on the [[Azov Sea]]. The frigate ''Hetman Sahaydachniy'' was recalled from a deployment along the Somalian coast and deployed from its port in Odesa to intercept Russian naval vessels crossing into Ukraine's waters on 14 March 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2014/3/20/91258/|title=Frigate Hetman Sahaydachniy forces Russian ships to leave Ukrainian waters|publisher=Charter'97|date=20 March 2014|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030203226/http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2014/3/20/91258/|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The remainder of Ukrainian naval forces continues to patrol the nation's territorial sea{{citation needed|date=February 2021}}.

On 11 January 2018, Russia stated that it was "ready to return Ukrainian military ships that are still in Crimea", along with "aviation equipment and armored vehicles."<ref name="auto">[https://www.unian.info/m/politics/2341737-putin-says-russia-ready-to-return-ukrainian-military-ships-aircraft-left-in-crimea.html Putin says Russia ready to return Ukrainian military ships, aircraft left in Crimea], [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] (12 January 2018)</ref>

On 29 April 2018 [[Ukrainian President]] [[Petro Poroshenko]] and [[Ukrainian Prime Minister|Prime Minister]] [[Volodymyr Groysman]] greeted Ukrainian Navy personnel on the 100th anniversary since the foundation of Ukraine's Navy.<ref>[https://www.unian.info/m/politics/10099364-ukraine-marks-100th-anniversary-of-ukraine-s-navy.html Ukraine marks 100th anniversary of Ukraine's Navy], [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] (29 April 2018)</ref> The Black Sea Fleet raised the colours of the Ukrainian National Republic on 29 April 1918.

As of 2020, several captured ships of the Ukrainian Navy remain [[List of former warships of the Ukrainian Navy|interned by Russia]].<ref>[http://intvua.com/news/85520-my-nash-my-novyy-flot-postroim-spisok-ukradennyh-korabley-vmsu.html List of stolen ships of the Ukrainian Navy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818132110/http://intvua.com/news/85520-my-nash-my-novyy-flot-postroim-spisok-ukradennyh-korabley-vmsu.html |date=2014-08-18 }}. INTV. March 21, 2014</ref>

;Defections to Russia
When Crimea was annexed by Russia, a number of Ukrainian Navy servicemen defected to Russia. Among those were members of the upper echelon of command of the Ukrainian Navy. The Ukrainian Navy compiled and released a list of their officers who defected to Russia, calling their actions treasonous.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://vmsu.org/zradniki/komanduvannya-vms-zs-ukraini/ |title=Командування ВМС ЗС України / Дезертири та зрадники |publisher=vmsu.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804125959/http://vmsu.org/zradniki/komanduvannya-vms-zs-ukraini/ |archive-date=August 4, 2015 |url-status=unfit }}</ref>

* Vice Admiral [[Sergei Yeliseyev (admiral)|Sergei Yeliseyev]], a first deputy commander and acting commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Navy from 19 February to 1 March 2014.
* Rear Admiral [[Dmitriy Shakuro]], a first deputy commander and chief of staff for the Ukrainian Navy.
* Rear Admiral [[Denis Berezovsky]], commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian Navy for one day, now a Black Sea Fleet deputy commander and chief of the combat training directorate.
* Colonel [[Sergei Tarkhov]], a chief of staff assistant in organization and sustainment of international relations.
* Michman [[Sergei Gorbachov]], a sergeant major of the Ukrainian Navy.
* Administrative command – 5 officers.
* Operation command – 17 officers.
* Intelligence command – 8 officers.
* Finance – 6 officers.

====[[War in Donbas]] and Black Sea incidents====
{{see also|List of Black Sea incidents involving Russia and Ukraine}}
Following the [[Revolution of Dignity]] and the annexation of Crimea, Pro-Russian separatists in [[Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk Oblast]]s demanding independence from the rest of Ukraine resulting in the war in Donbas.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2014/04/07/pro-russian-separatists-demand-independence-from-ukraine/|title=Pro-Russian separatists demand independence from Ukraine|date=7 April 2014|work=New York Post|agency=Associated Press|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103043152/http://nypost.com/2014/04/07/pro-russian-separatists-demand-independence-from-ukraine/|archive-date=3 November 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Some coast guard forces that were stationed in Crimea relocated to Mariupol where they resumed patrolling the national border.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/RTV/2014/03/26/RTV260314030/|title=UKRAINE: Ukrainian coast guards ready to resume regular patrols along the sea border with Russia, after leaving the Crimean port of Kerch and relocating to Mariupol|publisher=ITN Source|date=26 March 2014|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030201858/http://www.itnsource.com/en/shotlist/RTV/2014/03/26/RTV260314030/|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Separatists have been active in the Azov Sea, which caused incidents with the coast guard.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.capital.ua/ru/news/24158-neizvestnye-voennye-atakovali-poberezhe-azovskogo-morya|script-title=ru:Неизвестные военные атаковали побережье Азовского моря|work=Деловой портал «Капитал». Бизнес начинается с Капитала|date=5 July 2014|language=ru|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030224325/http://www.capital.ua/ru/news/24158-neizvestnye-voennye-atakovali-poberezhe-azovskogo-morya|archive-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Special Purpose units of the navy are reported to have taken part to combat the separatists. On 18 August 2014, Alex Zinchenko of the [[73rd Naval Special Operations Center (Ukraine)|73rd Naval Center of Special Operations]] was the first member of the Ukrainian Navy killed during the war in Donbas while conducting an operation near Donetsk.<ref name="ТСН.ua">{{cite web|url=http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/pid-doneckom-geroyichno-zaginuv-komandir-ochakivskih-morskih-pihotinciv-363596.html|script-title=uk:Під Донецьком героїчно загинув командир очаківських морських піхотинців|website=ТСН.ua|date=18 August 2014|language=uk|access-date=30 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911160930/http://tsn.ua/ukrayina/pid-doneckom-geroyichno-zaginuv-komandir-ochakivskih-morskih-pihotinciv-363596.html|archive-date=11 September 2014|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

[[File:Berdyansk damaged gunboat.jpg|thumb|upright|Captured [[Gyurza-M-class artillery boat#Vessels|BK-02]] ''Berdiansk'' with a hole in the pilothouse]]
On 27 January 2017, the Ukrainian diving support vessel ''Pochaiv'' was hit by sniper fire from the Tavrida drilling platform, operated by [[Chernomorneftegaz]], seized by Russian forces in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://censor.net.ua/en/photo_news/425240/russian_snipers_attack_ukraines_pochaiv_ship_from_seized_chornomornaftohaz_rig_ukrainian_naval_forces|title=Russian snipers attack Ukraine's Pochaiv ship from seized Chornomornaftohaz rig, – Ukrainian Naval Forces. PHOTOS|website=Censor.NET|date=27 January 2017 }}</ref>

On 1 February 2017, a Ukrainian Navy An-26 transport aircraft came under small arms fire from Russian military personnel, stationed on a drill rig, while flying over the Odesa gas field in the Black Sea. This gas field is located within Ukraine's exclusive economic zone, not off the Crimean peninsula, which is also part of Ukraine's EEZ. While the rig in question has not been named, it was amongst those captured by Russian forces in the aftermath of the annexation of Crimea. According to the Ukrainian military, the plane was on a training flight and was hit by small caliber shells.<ref name="auto3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rwradvisory.com/russian-military-forces-fire-on-ukrainian-vessel-and-aircraft-within-ukraines-exclusive-economic-zone-in-the-black-sea/|title=Russian Military Forces Fire on Ukrainian Vessel and Aircraft Within Ukraine's Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea|date=February 1, 2017}}</ref>

On 25 November 2018 three Ukrainian navy vessels who attempted to redeploy from the [[Black Sea]] port Odesa to the Azov Sea port of [[Berdiansk]] were damaged and captured by the Russian [[Federal Security Service|FSB security service]] during the [[Kerch Strait incident]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia/russia-blocks-ukrainian-navy-from-entering-sea-of-azov-idUSKCN1NU0DL|title=Russia seizes Ukrainian ships near annexed Crimea after firing on them|first1=Andrew|last1=Osborn|first2=Pavel|last2=Polityuk|work=Reuters|date=25 November 2018|access-date=26 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005901/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-russia/russia-blocks-ukrainian-navy-from-entering-sea-of-azov-idUSKCN1NU0DL|archive-date=26 November 2018|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>[https://www.unian.info/m/politics/10351089-russia-s-don-coast-guard-ship-rams-ukrainian-tugboat-amid-transfer-from-odesa-to-mariupol-video.html Russia's 'Don' coast guard ship rams Ukrainian tugboat amid transfer from Odesa to Mariupol (video)], [[Ukrainian Independent Information Agency]] (25 November 2018)</ref>

During the summer of 2019, Russia issued a number of temporary closures, potentially interrupting navigation and nearly blocking international shipping to and from Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine. Since 25 July 2009, the Russia closures – announced for varying dates and timeframes – covered a total of off 120 thousand square kilometers—nearly 25 percent of the entire Black Sea surface.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mil.in.ua/uk/rosiya-perekryla-chvert-chornogo-morya/|title=Росія перекрила чверть Чорного моря|date=July 26, 2019}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=November 2020}}

In August 2019, the Ukrainian Navy small reconnaissance ship {{ship|Ukrainian ship|Pereyaslav||2}} during their trip to Georgia to participate in exercise Agile Spirit 2019 and while in neutral waters, crew received a warning over the radio from a Russian navy ship. The Russians warned that the Ukrainians needed to turn away because the area was allegedly blocked. International coordinators did not confirm that fact, so the captain of the Pereyaslav decided to maintain the vessel along its original course. Soon thereafter, the Kasimov, a large Russian anti-submarine corvette, Project 1124M/Grisha V-class, was spotted near the Ukrainian ship. The Russian corvette's aggressive behavior only ceased when a Turkish reconnaissance plane arrived close to the Pereyaslav.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://jamestown.org/program/russias-black-sea-dominance-strategy-a-blend-of-military-and-civilian-assets/|title=Russia's Black Sea Dominance Strategy—A Blend of Military and Civilian Assets|website=Jamestown}}</ref>

On 14 November 2019, during the Third International Conference for Maritime Security, in Odesa, Ukrainian Navy commander Admiral Ihor Voronchenko said that a Russian Tu-22M3 had been observed simulating the launch of a missile strike on this coastal city, Voronchenko added that Russian bombers had made several similar attempts during exercises on 10 July, conducting a virtual airstrike 60 kilometers from Odesa.<ref name="auto3"/>

The navy was highly affected by the seizure of Crimea by Russia in 2014. At the time of the Russian invasion, the majority of Ukraine's naval vessels were docked in Crimea. Ukraine developed plans to rebuild their naval capability even before 2014 by planning to build 4–10 new corvettes at the Mykolaiv Shipyard.<ref>{{cite web |title=And what will happen to the Project 58250 corvette, or Ourselves s vusami |url=http://survincity.com/2009/09/and-what-will-happen-to-the-project-58250-corvette/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030205912/http://survincity.com/2009/09/and-what-will-happen-to-the-project-58250-corvette/ |archive-date=October 30, 2014 |access-date=30 October 2014}}</ref> This was one of the Soviet Union's largest shipyards and it built Russia's only and China's first operational aircraft carriers. After the [[2014 Crimean status referendum]], Ukraine refused to import arms from Russia for its newly-constructed ships, thus it is unclear whether weapons for [[project 58250]] as Ukraine dubbed it, will be built internally in Ukraine or imported from another country.<ref name="gsvtg" />

In 2015, Ukraine received five small ({{convert|7|and|11|m|adj=on}}) aluminum [[Willard Marine]] patrol boats; the original order was placed in 2013.<ref name="pb220615" /><ref>{{cite web |title=На военно-морской базе в Одессе осваивают американские катера для спецназа. |url=http://sprotyv.info/ru/news/kiev/na-voenno-morskoy-baze-v-odesse-osvaivayut-amerikanskie-katera-dlya-specnaza-foto |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623024019/http://sprotyv.info/ru/news/kiev/na-voenno-morskoy-baze-v-odesse-osvaivayut-amerikanskie-katera-dlya-specnaza-foto |archive-date=2015-06-23 |access-date=2015-06-22 |publisher=Information Resistance}}</ref>

In mid 2014, the construction of Gyurza-M-class artillery boats was revived and the first two vessels were expected to be completed in late 2015.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150706000204/http://dumskaya.net/news/na-stolichnom-zavode-udarnymi-tempami-delayut-br-043365/ At the capital city factory in shocking pace are being built armored boats for the Odesa river division of Ukrainian Navy]. Dumskaya. 3 February 2015</ref> In December 2016 the first two Gurza-M artillery boats officially joined the Ukrainian Navy. A new military contract was signed for 20 vessels that should be completed by 2020.

On 27 September 2018, the former [[United States Coast Guard]] ships ''[[Ukrainian patrol vessel Starobilsk|Drummond]]'' and {{USCGC|Cushing|WPB-1321|2}} were formally transferred to Ukraine after their retirement from US service. The two vessels were shipped, as deck cargo, and arrived in Odesa on 21 October 2019.
The {{ship|Ukrainian salvage ship|Oleksandr Okhrimenko}} was formally transferred to the Ukrainian Navy from the Ministry of Infrastructure on 29 August 2019.

The [[Project 58181]] Centaur (Kentavr)//Project 58503 Centaur-LK class is a series of small armored assault craft being built for the Ukrainian Navy. The first two vessels were laid down at the [[Kuznya na Rybalskomu]] in December 2016. The project was developed by State Research and Design Shipbuilding Center on the basis of the Gyurza-M-class artillery boats. They are designed for patrol service on rivers and coastal maritime areas, the delivery and landing of marines. Two ships on trial, one on order.
[[File:P191 Starobilsk (unloading).jpg|thumb|Unloading (the former [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]]) boat {{ship|Ukrainian patrol vessel|Starobilsk||2}} in Odesa in October 2019]]
In 2018 the [[United States]] offered Ukraine some of its {{sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate|2}}s from its reserve fleet. The details of this offer were being worked out as of October 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2018 |title=U.S. eyes giving Ukraine Oliver Hazard Perry frigates to boost defenses in Black, Azov Seas |url=https://www.unian.info/politics/10303743-u-s-eyes-giving-ukraine-oliver-hazard-perry-frigates-to-boost-defenses-in-black-azov-seas.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018214041/https://www.unian.info/politics/10303743-u-s-eyes-giving-ukraine-oliver-hazard-perry-frigates-to-boost-defenses-in-black-azov-seas.html |archive-date=2018-10-18 |access-date=2018-10-20 |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency}}</ref>

Ukrainian shipbuilder Kuznya na Rybalskomu launched a new medium reconnaissance ship {{ship|Ukrainian reconnaissance ship|Lahuna||2}} for the Ukrainian Navy on 23 April 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 April 2019 |title=Ukraine launches new reconnaissance ship in Kyiv |url=https://navaltoday.com/2019/04/25/ukraine-launches-new-reconnaissance-ship-in-kyiv/ |website=Naval Today}}</ref> On 20 October 2019 the unfinished ship arrived in Odesa for completion and commissioning.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian-Ukrainian War on Instagram: "Recently, an unfinished middle-sized reconnaissance ship of the Laguna project was launched in Kherson, after which it made a crossing of…" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B36bH4EBaAZ/ |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B36bH4EBaAZ |archive-date=2021-12-23 |website=Instagram}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The US State Department approved a Foreign Military Sales case for the supply of up to 16 [[Mark VI patrol boat]]s and associated equipment to Ukraine in June 2020. 12 boats out of the 16 approved for sale has been ordered as of January 2022 and the Ukrainian President (Volodymyr Zelensky) has said that deliveries of the Mark VI patrol boats to Ukraine will begin in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2021 |title=MK VI patrol boat order for Ukraine confirmed |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/mk-vi-patrol-boat-order-for-ukraine-confirmed |website=Janes}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2021 |title=USA to begin transferring Mark VI combat boats to Ukraine in 2022 |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3275127-usa-to-begin-transferring-mark-vi-combat-boats-to-ukraine-in-2022.html |access-date=18 January 2022 |agency=Ukrinform}}</ref>

In October 2020 Ukraine and the [[United Kingdom]] signed a [[memorandum]] in which the UK government pledged to provide a 10-year loan of up to [[Pound sterling|£]]1.25 billion ([[US dollar|$]]1.6 billion) for the re-equipment of the Ukrainian Navy.<ref name="7269171re-equipment">{{cite web |date=7 October 2020 |title=Britain and Ukraine have agreed to jointly produce missile boats for the Armed Forces |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2020/10/7/7269171/ |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]}}</ref> In June 2021, during a visit by {{HMS|Defender|D36|6}} to Odesa, it was revealed that an agreement had been reached for two {{sclass|Sandown|minehunter|1}}s to be transferred to the Ukrainian Navy upon decommissioning from the [[Royal Navy]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Allison |first=George |date=22 June 2021 |title=UK giving two Sandown class mine hunters to Ukraine |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-giving-two-sandown-class-mine-hunters-to-ukraine/ |access-date=4 August 2021 |work=UK Defence Journal}}</ref>

In December 2020, Ukraine signed an agreement for the production of four {{sclass2|Ada|corvette|1}}s.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Archus |first1=Dorian |date=17 December 2020 |title=Ukraine ordered four ADA-class corvettes from Turkey |url=https://navalnews.net/ukraine-ordered-four-ada-class-corvettes-from-turkey/ |website=navalnews.net}}</ref> Ukraine is developing a supersonic cruise missile named Bliskavka to arm its warships.<ref>{{Cite news |last=GDC |date=2019-11-25 |title=Ukraine is developing a new supersonic missile, Bliskavka ("Lightning") |url=https://www.globaldefensecorp.com/2019/11/25/ukraine-is-developing-a-new-missile-bliskavka-lightning/ |access-date=2021-07-22 |website=Global Defense Corp}}</ref>

The Ukrainian Navy received its first complex of Bayraktar Tactical Block 2 drones on 15 July 2021.<ref name="3281272UkrNAVBayraktar">[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/3281272-ukrainian-military-gets-first-turkish-bayraktar-uav-complex.html Ukrainian military gets first Turkish Bayraktar UAV complex], [[Ukrinform]] (15 July 2021)</ref>

====Russian invasion of Ukraine====
{{see also|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}}

In late February or early March 2022 the {{ship|Ukrainian frigate|Hetman Sahaidachny}} was scuttled in the port of Mykolaiv to prevent its capture by Russian forces.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=The Ukrainian Navy's Flagship Appears To Have Been Scuttled |url=https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/44563/the-ukrainian-navys-flagship-appears-to-have-been-scuttled |work=The Drive}}</ref> On March 3 the patrol boat [[Ukrainian patrol vessel Sloviansk|''Slavyansk'']] was sunk by an anti-ship missile of Russian naval aviation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine Reports Loss of U.S.-Built Patrol Boat by Russian Missile |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/ukraine-reports-loss-of-u-s-built-patrol-boat-by-russian-missile |website=The Maritime Executive |language=en |date=8 March 2022}}</ref>

On March 14, the Russian source RT reported that the Russian Armed Forces had captured about a dozen Ukrainian ships in Berdiansk. The vessels reported as captured included two [[Gyurza-M-class artillery boat|''Gyurza-M''-class artillery vessels]] (including the vessel ''Akkerman''), the [[Matka-class missile boat|''Matka''-class missile boat]] ''Pryluky'', a [[Grisha-class corvette|''Project 1124P'' (''Grisha II'')-class corvette]] (the ''Vinnytsia'', a museum ship),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://warsearcher.com/shipsearcher/navy-of-ukraine-current-and-retired/ukraine-corvettes-and-patrol-ships/ | title=Ukraine – Corvettes and Patrol Ships | date=22 March 2022 }}</ref> a [[Zhuk-class patrol boat|''Zhuk''-class patrol boat]], a [[Yevgenya-class minesweeper|''Yevgenya''-class minesweeper]], the ''Polnocny''-class landing ship ''Yuri Olefirenko'' and a [[Ondatra-class landing craft|''Ondatra''-class landing craft]]. Independent confirmation of these captures was secured except for those of the ''Pryluky'', the ''Grisha'', the ''Yevgenya'', the ''Yuri Olefirenko'' and the ''Ondatra''. In addition, independent confirmation of the capture of another ''Zhuk''-class patrol boat and 6 small boats was secured.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/focus-analysis/11502-analysis-russian-armed-forces-capture-dozen-ukrainian-ships-in-berdyansk.html|title = Analysis: Russian Armed Forces capture dozen Ukrainian ships in Berdyansk| date=14 March 2022 }}</ref> These smaller boats were one ''Adamant 315''-class motor yacht, 3 ''Kalkan-M''-class small patrol boats and 2 ''UMS 1000''-class small patrol boats.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vpk.name/en/587389_captured-ukrainian-ships-and-boats-in-berdyansk.html | title=Captured Ukrainian ships and boats in Berdyansk | date=16 March 2022 }}</ref>

The Naval Infantry has fought in the current conflict, contributing forces to some of the major land battles of the war, especially in the south.

On June 3, 2022, the landing ship ''Yuri Olefirenko'' was seen under Ukrainian control near Ochakiv (between Mykolaiv and Odesa) after being targeted by Russian artillery. Rounds landed within 200&nbsp;ft of the ship but caused no damage. Russia claimed to have captured the ship in Berdiansk early into the conflict.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/ukrainian-navy-ship-in-dramatic-escape-survives-russian-artillery-attack/ | title=Ukrainian Navy Ship in Dramatic Escape, Survives Russian Artillery Attack | date=10 June 2022 }}</ref>

On June 22, 2022, BBC published a report showing Royal Navy personnel training Ukrainian Navy personnel on two former Royal Navy Sandown Class Minehunters.{{Cn|date=September 2023}} The two ships ex-[[HMS Blyth (M111)|HMS ''Blyth'']] and ex-[[HMS Ramsey (M110)|HMS ''Ramsey'']] were offered to Ukraine in 2021. However, in October 2022 it was reported that both ships would be transferred to the [[Romanian Navy]] instead.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/NavyLookout/status/1582985004379799552 |title=Ex-HMS Ramsey and HMS Blyth have been sold to the Romanian Navy |number=1582985004379799552 |user=NavyLookout |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022}}</ref> [[HMS Shoreham (M112)|HMS ''Shoreham'']] was also supposed to be handed over to the Ukrainian Navy.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/royal-navys-hms-shoreham-taking-7066650 | title=Royal Navy's HMS Shoreham taking final voyage on south coast | work=Plymouth Herald | date=11 May 2022 }}</ref>

The [[Ukrainian Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], which also fought during the ongoing invasion and was well known internationally for the famous last stand of one of its brigades in Mariupol, was officially separated from the Navy and made an independent service of the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] effective 23 May 2023.

==Organisation==
===Current role===
The Navy is tasked with the defense of the sovereignty and state interests of Ukraine at sea and in riverine axes. They are required to neutralize enemy naval groups in their operational zones both alone and with other branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and to provide assistance from the sea to the [[Ukrainian Naval Infantry|Marine Corps]], [[Unmanned Systems Forces]] and the [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] during their operations, as well as with the other uniformed organizations as mandated by the Constitution and laws of the republic. The main missions assigned to the Navy are as follows:<ref name="BMC"/>

* creation and maintenance of combat forces on a level sufficient to deter maritime and riverine aggression;
* neutralization of enemy naval forces within maritime and inland waters either with other elements of the AFU or by its own personnel;
* destruction of enemy transportation both at sea and the major rivers of Ukraine;
* support of the landing of amphibious elements of the Marine Corps and Ground Forces and other uniformed organizations and fight against enemy amphibious forces alongside other elements of the Armed Forces or on its own actions;
* maintenance of a beneficial operational regime in the operational maritime and riverine zones;
* defense of its bases and sea lines of communications;
* cooperation in coastal defense activities with elements of the Marine Corps and Ground Forces and other uniformed organizations;
* protection of submarine space within territorial sea waters;
* protection of the merchant fleet, maritime oil and gas industries, and other state maritime activities mandated by the Constitution and legislative acts of the Supreme Council;
* assistance to the Marine Corps, Unmanned Systems Forces and Ground Forces in their conduct of operations (military actions) along maritime and riverine axes as well as with other uniformed organizations of the nation;
* and participation in peacekeeping operations overseas in support of UNSC mandates.

===Bases===
The headquarters and Main Naval Base of the Ukrainian Navy were located in Sevastopol in [[Striletska Bay]] within the [[Bay of Sevastopol]].<ref name="BMC"/> This was also the main base of the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Navy. Since February–March 2014 Ukrainian Naval Forces are headquartered in Odesa and based in ports in mainland Ukraine.

;Other naval bases
* [[Western Naval Base (Ukraine)|Western Naval Base]] in Odesa<ref name="BMC"/>
* [[Southern Naval Base (Mykolaiv)|Southern Naval Base]] in Mykolaiv<ref name="BMC"/> (mooring place in [[Ochakiv]])
* [[Azov naval base (Ukraine)|Azov Naval Base]], in Berdiansk (mooring places in [[Henichesk]] and Mariupol, late September 2018 two Ukrainian vessels departed from Odesa, passed the Crimean Bridge and arrived Mariupol)<ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2551703-dmytro-kovalenko-commander-of-the-ukrainian-navy-move-to-azov-sea.html Dmytro Kovalenko, commander of the Ukrainian Navy move to Azov Sea] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031005314/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2551703-dmytro-kovalenko-commander-of-the-ukrainian-navy-move-to-azov-sea.html |date=2018-10-31 }}, [[Ukrinform]] (4 October 2018)</ref> (occupied by Russians)
* [[Southern Naval Base (Ukraine)|Southern Naval Base]] in [[Crimea]] at: [[Novoozerne]], [[Yevpatoria]] in [[Donuzlav Lake]]<ref name="BMC"/>) (occupied by Russians)

===List of Commanders===
{{main|Commander of the Navy (Ukraine)}}

===Ranks and insignia===
{{Main|Naval ranks and insignia of Ukraine}}
{{see also|Admiral (Ukraine)}}

== Structure ==
The branch is designed to protect the sovereignty of Ukraine at sea.<ref name="BMC" /> The forces were highly affected by the [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|Russian annexation of Crimea]], because the majority of Naval Forces were stationed there.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bigg |first1=Matthew Mpoke |last2=Santora |first2=Marc |date=2022-11-22 |title=Russia-Ukraine War: Ukraine Battles for Control of Key Black Sea Peninsula |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/22/world/russia-ukraine-war-news |access-date=2023-02-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

;Aviation

* [[10th Naval Aviation Brigade (Ukraine)|10th Naval Aviation Brigade]]

;Surface Forces

* [[1st Naval Guard and Patrol Division (Ukraine)|1st MCM Ships Division]]
* [[8th Naval Raid Protection Ships Division (Ukraine)|8th Raid Ships Division]]
* [[9th Naval Surface Ships Division (Ukraine)|9th Surface Ships Division]]
* 21st Fleet Signals Company
* [[28th Naval Auxiliary Division (Ukraine)|28th Auxiliary Division]]
* [[29th Naval Surface Ships Division (Ukraine)|29th Surface Ships Division]]
* [[30th Naval Surface Ships Division (Ukraine)|30th Surface Ships Division]]
* [[31st Naval Supply Ships Division (Ukraine)|31st Supply Ships Division]]
* [[385th Unmanned Surface Vehicles Brigade (Ukraine)|385th USV Brigade]] (OPCON Unmanned Systems Forces)

;Riverine Forces
* [[Dnieper Fleet (Ukraine)|Dnieper Fleet]]
** [[26th Naval River Ships Division (Ukraine)|26th Naval River Ships Division]]
** 27th Naval River Ships Division

;Special Forces

* 29th Intelligence Center
* 30th Command and Intelligence Center
* [[801st Special Marine Detachment (Ukraine)|801st Underwater Special Forces]]

;Rear Elements
* Center for Combat Support
* [[37th Communications Regiment (Ukraine)|37th Communications Regiment]]
* 84th Weapon Storage Unit

;Educational Institutions
* Naval High School
* 198th Naval Basic Training Center 
* 203rd Naval Training Center

==Equipment==
===Ships===
{{Main|List of active Ukrainian Navy ships}}
[[File:Ships of Ukrainian Navy in Sevastopol, 2007.jpg|thumb|right|''Left to right'', U402 ''Konstantyn Olshansky'', U401 ''Kirovohrad'', U154 ''Kahovka'', [[Ukrainian corvette Ternopil (U209)|U209 ''Ternopil'']], and U153 ''Pryluky'']]
Some 20 years after the [[fall of the Soviet Union]], the main warships of the Ukrainian Navy are former Black Sea Fleet vessels that were designed and built in the Soviet Union. As of December 2007, the Navy had 27 combat ships and cutters. In 2015 Ukraine received 5 small (7 and 11 meter aluminum) Willard Marine patrol boats; the original order was placed in 2013.<ref name="pb220615">{{cite web|url=http://www.hstoday.us/industry-news/general/single-article/willard-marine-wins-order-to-supply-patrol-boats-to-international-navies/eb8f27f84edd709d9ca807b5d874e019.html|publisher=Homeland Security Today|title=Willard Marine Wins Order To Supply Patrol Boats To International Navies|access-date=2015-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212230030/http://www.hstoday.us/industry-news/general/single-article/willard-marine-wins-order-to-supply-patrol-boats-to-international-navies/eb8f27f84edd709d9ca807b5d874e019.html|archive-date=2016-02-12|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sprotyv.info/ru/news/kiev/na-voenno-morskoy-baze-v-odesse-osvaivayut-amerikanskie-katera-dlya-specnaza-foto|publisher=Information Resistance|title=На военно-морской базе в Одессе осваивают американские катера для спецназа.|access-date=2015-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623024019/http://sprotyv.info/ru/news/kiev/na-voenno-morskoy-baze-v-odesse-osvaivayut-amerikanskie-katera-dlya-specnaza-foto|archive-date=2015-06-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Aircraft===
{{Main|Ukrainian Naval Aviation}}
[[File:Mil Mi-14PL Haze, Ukraine - Navy JP7146076.jpg|thumb|right|A Ukrainian Navy Mi-14]]
According to former Navy Commander Vice Admiral [[Yuriy Ilyin]], at the beginning of 2013, the fleet had 11 warships fully ready to perform complex tasks and ten aircraft and 31 auxiliary vessels fit for service.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/commander-ukrainian-navy-to-have-11-ships-10-aircraft-31-vessels-by-end-of-2012-316992.html |title=Commander:Ukrainian Navy to have 11 ships, 10 aircraft, 31 vessels by end of 2012 |newspaper=[[Kyiv Post]] |date=30 November 2012 |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110143759/http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/commander-ukrainian-navy-to-have-11-ships-10-aircraft-31-vessels-by-end-of-2012-316992.html |archive-date=10 January 2016 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

As of 24 March 2014, most of the Ukrainian ships in Sevastopol were taken by the Russian Black Sea Fleet,<ref name="auto5"/><ref name="auto1"/> including several aircraft and other equipment. On 8 April 2014 an agreement was reached between Russia and Ukraine to return Ukrainian Navy materials to Ukraine proper.<ref name="JDW12414"/> A part of the Ukrainian Navy was then returned to Ukraine but Russia suspended this agreement because/after Ukraine did not renew its unilaterally declared ceasefire on 1 July 2014 in the war in Donbas.<ref name="korrespondent.net"/>

On 11 January 2018, [[Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] stated that Russia was ready to return Ukrainian military ships, aviation equipment and armored vehicles that were still in Crimea.<ref name="auto"/>

The Ukrainian Navy received its first complex of [[Bayraktar TB2|Bayraktar Tactical Block 2]] on 15 July 2021.<ref name="3281272UkrNAVBayraktar"/>

=== Coastal Defence ===
''Under administrative control of the Navy but personnel drawn from both Navy proper and Marine Corps''

{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Image
!Origin
!Type
!Variant
!Number
!Details
|-
|[[R-360 Neptune|Neptune]]
|[[File:Neptune cruise missile 05.jpg|149x149px]]
|{{UKR}}
|[[Anti-ship missile|Medium range anti-ship missile]]
|RK-360MC
|?
|In service with the Ukrainian Navy since March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ponomarenko |first=Illia |author-link=Illia Ponomarenko |date=15 March 2021 |title=Ukraine's navy acquires first Neptune cruise missiles |url=https://www.kyivpost.com/ukraine-politics/ukraines-navy-acquires-first-neptune-cruise-missiles.html?cn-reloaded=1 |access-date=21 January 2022 |website=[[KyivPost|kyivpost.com]]}}</ref> It is believed by both Ukraine and the United States that two of these missiles were used to sink the Russian cruiser ''[[Russian cruiser Moskva|Moskva]]'' on 13 April 2022, as stated by an official spokesperson for the [[United States Department of Defense]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=2022-04-15 |title='Neptune' missile strike on Moskva ship shows strength of Ukraine's homegrown arms |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/15/neptune-ukraine-moskva/ |accessdate=2022-05-16}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-15 |title=Russian warship: Moskva sinks in Black Sea |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61114843 |access-date=2022-04-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-16 |title=US supports Ukraine's claim that Moskva was hit by Neptune anti-ship missile |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-16/us-believe-moskva-struck-by-ukraine-neptune-anti-ship-missile/100995130 |access-date=2022-04-23}}</ref> One coastal defense battalion contains six launchers with four tubes each.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}
|-
| [[AGM-114 Hellfire|RBS-17]]
| [[File:Lockheed_Martin_Hellfire_II.jpg|150x150px]]
| {{USA}}<br />{{SWE}}
| Very short range anti-ship missile
| Maritime [[AGM-114 Hellfire]] variant
|
| In June 2022, Sweden announced supplies of RBS-17 anti-ship missiles based on the maritime AGM-114 Hellfire variant in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|title=How Can Swedish RBS-17 Anti-Ship Missiles Help Ukraine?|url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/06/how-can-swedish-rbs-17-anti-ship-missiles-help-ukraine/|date=5 June 2022|access-date=17 June 2022|website=Naval News}}</ref>
|-
|[[Harpoon (missile)|Harpoon]]
|[[File:RDN mobile misbat.jpg|150x150px]]
|{{USA}}
|Medium range anti-ship missile
|RGM-84L-4<ref name="forbes-harpoons">{{cite web |date=17 June 2022 |title=Ukraine Blasts Russian Tug Near Snake Island With Land-Based Harpoon Missiles |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/sebastienroblin/2022/06/17/ukraine-blasts-russian-tug-near-snake-island-with-land-based-missiles/?sh=59690936408c |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=Forbes}}</ref>
|3+?
|Launchers supplied by [[Denmark]] in June 2022, with missiles additionally provided by the United Kingdom and the Netherlands in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="forbes-harpoons" /> United States announced the supply of additional two Harpoon systems the same month.<ref name="forbes-harpoons"/>
|}

=== Formerly under the Navy ===
====Naval Infantry====
{{Main|Ukrainian Marine Corps}}
[[File:Морська піхота України 2018 берети.jpg|thumb|right|Ukrainian marines' berets]]
The Ukrainian Marine Corps (Ukrainian: Морська піхота literally means "Naval Infantry") was a long time part of the coastal forces of the Ukrainian Navy when it was raised in 1918 and since its official reactivation in 1993. It was used as a component part of amphibious, airborne and amphibious-airborne operations, alone or in conjunction with formations and units of the Ground Forces in order to capture parts of the seashore, islands, ports, fleet bases, coast airfields and other coastal objects of the enemy. It can also be used to defend naval bases, vital coastal areas and installations, separate islands and coastal facilities and provide security in hostile areas.

Based in Mykolaiv it is organized into a full division with 2 marine brigades (2-4 more are being activated and 1 being transferred from the Ground Forces), 1 coastal artillery brigade and 1 multiple rocket launcher artillery regiment.

The Marine Corps officially separated from the Navy to become a service branch of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on its own right on 23 May 2023, the official Corps Birthday.

==Future==
Small boats<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia |website=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/07/28/1190544651/ukraine-rebuild-navy-destroyed-by-russia}}</ref> drones, mines and anti-ship missiles were used in 2023 and might be in future.<ref name="doesnthave">{{Cite news |last= |date=2023-07-28 |title=Ukraine 'doesn't have a navy', while Russia has 'the lot'. Can innovation beat big ships in the Black Sea battle? |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-29/naval-warfare-black-sea-battle-ukraine-russia-invasion-/102643312 |access-date=2023-08-20}}</ref>

Ukraine might also take delivery of 2 [[Ada-class corvette]]s under construction in Turkey. The [[Ukrainian corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa]] is undergoing sea trials as of 2023. Ivan Mazepa is slated to become the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5862022-43657|title=Про присвоєння імені гетьмана Івана Мазепи корвету класу "Ada" Військово-Морських Сил Збройних Сил України|website=[[Office of the President of Ukraine]]|first=Volodymyr|last=Zelenskyi|date=2022-08-18|accessdate=2022-08-18|archive-date=2022-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818104237/https://www.president.gov.ua/documents/5862022-43657|language=uk|url-status=live}}</ref> The ship was officially [[Keel laying|laid down]] on 7 September 2021,<ref name="laid down" /> and [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 2 October 2022.<ref name="launched">{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/olenazelenska.official/posts/pfbid0uHMSJsSmyMgdqEeJ5AwQc9Ynw6x5AJU6QYfaCjvrFTbd16Y1K64AVuVnopC86R88l|title=On the launch of the Ukrainian corvette Hetman Ivan Mazepa|website=[[Facebook]]|first=Olena|last=Zelenska|date=2022-10-02|accessdate=2022-10-02|language=uk}}</ref> When completed, the vessel will be the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy, and will be the first modern combat vessel of the service.

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links and further reading==
{{commons category|Ukrainian Navy}}
*[[Jane's Navy International]], Interview: Admiral Viktor Maksymov, C.-in-C., Ukraine Navy, JNI December 2010, 34.
* [http://rusnavy.com/history/interesting/ukranianfleet.htm?print=Y Ukrainian Navy: ferial excursions into the past and present]
* [https://archive.today/20130419061023/http://sevsou.io.ua/s385221/boris_kojin_vice-admiral_pershiy_komanduvach_vms_ukraeni_bilya_vitokiv_vidrodjennya_viyskovo-morskih_sil_ukraeni Interview of Borys Kozhyn]. Magazine "Hetman". #1 (24) 2009.
*{{in lang|en|uk}} Navy page on the official site of the Ministry of Defence: [http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=en&part=structure&sub=navy in English], [http://www.mil.gov.ua/index.php?lang=ua&part=structure&sub=vms in Ukrainian]
*{{in lang|en|uk}} Ukrainian Navy Website: [https://navy.mil.gov.ua/en/ in English] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201208132551/https://navy.mil.gov.ua/en/ |date=2020-12-08 }}, [https://navy.mil.gov.ua/ in Ukrainian] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127022802/https://navy.mil.gov.ua/ |date=2019-11-27 }}
*[http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/europe/ukraine.htm World Navies Today: Ukraine] (full unofficial list of vessels with descriptions, as of March 2002; no images)
*{{in lang|ru}} [http://flot.sevastopol.info/photos/photo_vmsu.htm Photogallery of Ukrainian Navy vessels] (most vessels available, with pennant numbers, no detailed descriptions)

{{Ukraine topics}}
{{Military of Ukraine}}
{{Ukrainian Navy}}
{{Ukrainian ships}}
{{Navies in Europe}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Ukrainian Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military of Ukraine]]
[[Category:1917 establishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:1921 disestablishments in Ukraine]]
[[Category:1992 establishments in Ukraine]]