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 | 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 HERE. |
 | This article's lead section may need to be rewritten. The reason given is: too much detail - please rewrite to summarize the article. (September 2023) |
| Ukrainian Naval Forces | |
|---|---|
| Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ | |
 Emblem of the Ukrainian Naval Forces | |
| Active | 1917–1921 1992–present |
| Country |  Ukraine |
| Type | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 11.000 (2022)[1] |
| Part of |  Armed Forces of Ukraine |
| Garrison/HQ | Odesa |
| Colors | Blue Gold |
| March | March of the VMS of Ukraine (Марш ВМС України)[2] |
| Anniversaries | Navy Day[3][4][5][6] |
| Battle honours | Ukrainian–Soviet War
Anti-piracy operations in Somalia Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Website | navy |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Vice Admiral[7] Oleksiy Neizhpapa[8] |
| Insignia | |
| Ensign |  |
| Jack |  |
| Pennant |  |
| Shoulder sleeve insignia[a] |  |
The Ukrainian Navy (Ukrainian: Військово-морські сили Збройних сил України, ВМС ЗСУ, romanized: Viiskovo–morski syly Zbroinykh syl Ukrainy, VMS ZSU, lit. 'Military Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine'), is the maritime force of Ukraine and one of the eight service branches of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The naval forces consist of five components: surface forces, submarine forces, naval aviation, coastal rocket-artillery and naval infantry.[9] In 2022, the Ukrainian Navy had 15,000 personnel, including 6,000 naval infantry.[1] It is headquartered in Odesa; prior to the 2014 annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, it was based in Sevastopol.[9]
Ukraine's navy was composed largely of remnants of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. Ukraine had sought to update and expand its naval forces,[10][11] including planning a new class of frigates,[12] patrol boats,[13] and gunboats.[14] However, since the ongoing Russian invasion of the country began in February 2022, the Ukrainian Navy has been severely diminished; all its largest warships have been lost,[15][16][17] with 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.[9]
Despite its reduced size and capabilities, Ukrainian naval forces remain operationally active through asymmetrical warfare and the use of sea drones.[18][19] The Ukrainian Navy has successfully challenged its Russian counterpart in the Black Sea through innovative tactics and technologies.[20][21]
- ^ a b The Military Balance 2022. International Institute for Strategic Studies. February 2022. ISBN 9781000620030.
- ^ "Марш ВМС України звучав і на Арбаті".
- ^ "Ukrainian Navy to celebrate its holiday on first Sunday of July – decree". Interfax-Ukraine. 12 June 2015. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "President signs Decree On Celebration of Some Memorable Dates and Professional Holidays". President.gov.ua. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-01-22.
- ^ Reif, Joe (2001). The Global Road Warrior: 100 Country Handbook for the International Business Traveler (3rd ed.). Novato, California: World Trade Press. p. 781. ISBN 1-885073-86-0. Archived from the original on 2016-02-04. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
- ^ Ukraine Intelligence & Security Activities and Operations Handbook. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: International Business Publications, USA. 2009. p. 250. ISBN 978-0-7397-1661-8. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
- ^ УКАЗ ПРЕЗИДЕНТА УКРАЇНИ №246/2022 Про присвоєння військового звання, (16 April 2022)
- ^ Zelensky taps Rear Admiral Neizhpapa to command Ukraine's Navy (Photo), Ukrainian Independent Information Agency (11 June 2020)
- ^ a b c "The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine". mil.gov.ua. 1996-08-17. Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved 2014-03-02.
- ^ Order of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (9 August 2005). Verkhovna Rada website.
- ^ Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (1 March 2006).Verkhovna Rada website.
- ^ "Project 58250 Corvette / Hayduk-21/Gaiduk-21 Volodymyr Velyky ["Vladimir the Great"]". globalsecurity.org. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Willard Marine to supply patrol boats to Ukraine". bairdmaritime.com. 4 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ "Ukrainian Navy to receive two Gyurza-M boats". Azeri Defence. 9 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
doesnthavewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Ukraine Has No Navy. But It's Hammering Russia In The Black Sea". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.
- ^ "How the Ukrainians – with no navy – defeated Russia's Black Sea Fleet". The Conversation.
- ^ Kirichenko, David (2023-09-26). "Ukraine sea drones outsmarting Russia's superior navy". Asia Times. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Russian ship hit in Novorossiysk, Black Sea drone attack, Ukraine sources say". BBC News. 2023-08-04. Retrieved 2023-09-26.
- ^ Eckel, Mike (2024-02-19). "Ukraine Has No Navy. But It's Hammering Russia In The Black Sea". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
- ^ Santora, Marc (2023-11-12). "How Ukraine, With No Warships, Is Thwarting Russia's Navy". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
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