KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine has received a second Turkish-built navy corvette, officials said Friday, although they did not say specifically how the warships could be used in the war against Russia.
The First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenskaparticipated in the launching ceremony of the Ada-class corvette during a visit to Turkey, the Ukrainian presidency announced on its website.
The corvette that Ukraine already possessed is currently undergoing sea trials.
Turkish Ada-class ships are typically capable of attacking aircraft, other ships and submarines.
Ukraine, which has coastlines on the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov, had a small navy at the time of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.
But it developed deadly unmanned maritime drones that has severely limited Moscow’s naval capabilities in the Black Sea.
The Ukrainian presidency said the corvettes would help protect the country’s interests in the Black and Azov Seas “but also, in particular, in the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.”
The presidency’s statement did not provide further details.
International law prohibits the passage of warships through Turkey’s busy Bosphorus Strait, which connects the Mediterranean and Black Seas, during times of war. However, the presidency’s statement did not say where exactly the Turkish shipyard was located, meaning it could be on the northern side of the strait, with a direct route to Ukraine.
Ukraine ordered the two Turkish corvettes under an agreement signed in 2020, the presidency said.
Ukrainian authorities last month adopted a Maritime Security Strategy that aims to rebuild its naval capacity.
It is also receiving help from Western partners. The Maritime Capability Coalition, led by the UK and Norway, was created last December.
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