The Ukrainian Navy has received the minehunter “Henichesk” from the Netherlands
The handover of the vessel was announced by Vice Admiral Oleksii Neizhpap, Commander of the Ukrainian Navy.
The Ukrainian Navy has received another minehunter from the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The vessel is an Alkmaar-class minehunter, transferred to Ukraine as part of the Maritime Capabilities Coalition.
During the official ceremony, the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, raised the Ukrainian naval ensign on the new vessel. The ship has been named “Henichesk”.
Why was the ship named “Henichesk”?
According to Neizhpapa, the new ship was named after the Ukrainian Navy’s harbour minesweeper of the same name.
The previous “Henichesk” was lost in June 2022 whilst carrying out a combat mission near the Kinburn Spit, whilst providing cover for comrades from a special forces unit.
Thus, the Ukrainian Navy has retained the name of the ship that carried out combat missions during the full-scale war.
Who attended the ceremony
The ceremony was attended by fleet commanders from several NATO countries.
In particular, the ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Commander of the Royal Belgian Navy, as well as the commanders of the navies of Romania, Lithuania and Latvia.
Neizhpa thanked the Dutch crew for their service, for looking after the ship and keeping it in good condition. He stated that, with its Ukrainian crew, the “Henichesk” would continue to carry out its tasks and contribute to security in the Black Sea and, if necessary, beyond its borders.
How the “Henichesk” will strengthen the Navy
The “Henichesk” is set to bolster Ukraine’s capabilities in mine countermeasures. Its primary tasks are the search for, detection and neutralisation of sea mines.
Following the handover of this vessel, the Ukrainian Navy now has five mine countermeasures vessels. Previously, the UK transferred the Sandown-class ships “Cherkasy” and “Chernihiv” to Ukraine, whilst Belgium and the Netherlands transferred the Alkmaar-class ships “Melitopol” and “Mariupol”.
Such vessels are vital for the future demining of the Black Sea, the security of ports and maritime routes, and the restoration of civilian shipping.
What is known about the Alkmaar-class ships
The Alkmaar is a class of mine countermeasures vessels designed to search for, identify and neutralise sea mines.
Ships of this type are equipped with sonar systems for detecting mines and can use remotely operated or remotely controlled vehicles to neutralise them.
Key characteristics of the Alkmaar-class ships include:
crew – 28–38 personnel;
displacement – 543 tonnes;
length – 51.5 metres;
beam – 8.9 metres;
draught – 3.8 metres;
maximum speed – up to 13 knots, or approximately 24 km/h.
The ships have a hull made of non-magnetic materials, which reduces the risk of triggering mines with magnetic fuses. The superstructure is made of lightweight alloys.
How the Ukrainian crew was trained
In April 2026, during a visit to the Netherlands, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Ukrainian crew was undergoing training on the Alkmaar-class vessel Zr.Ms. Makkum.
At the time, Zelenskyy stated that the Netherlands would fully train the crew and hand over the vessel to Ukraine in June. It was this vessel that was to be named “Henichesk” following the handover.
According to the Ministry of Defence, a significant proportion of the Ukrainian sailors undergoing training have real combat experience, particularly at sea.
Why mine-hunting vessels are important for Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale war, the Black Sea has remained mined. Sea mines pose a threat to military and civilian vessels, port infrastructure, trade routes and coastal areas.
Mine countermeasure vessels are needed to locate and neutralise such threats. They could prove crucial for the safe resumption of shipping, port operations and international maritime corridors once active hostilities have ended.
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