Ukraine: Even more new recruits for the navy

On the day that British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace visited Ukraine in mid-November and signed an agreement to "develop the capabilities of Ukraine's naval forces", the Ukrainian Navy announced the arrival of two new coast guard boats. The two refurbished ex-ISLAND-class patrol boats of the US Coast Guard, which have been repainted from white to grey, were shipped as deck cargo from Baltimore/USA to Odessa in Ukraine.

Now there are four

Two boats of the same type from a 2019 US delivery are already stationed there. The welcoming message from the naval commander, Rear Admiral Alexey Neizhpapa, is very impressive: "The boats will soon be flying the flag of the Ukrainian Navy and will begin their combat missions to ensure maritime security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov under the command of Ukrainian crews."

What is happening in the Sea of Azov?

While the British contribution is primarily intended to support the expansion of the new naval base in Berdyansk 50 kilometres southwest of Mariupol, which still needs a good two years to be completed, the American delivery is intended to strengthen the Ukrainian navy's seaward assets. However, as Russia is still currently deploying its troops on the border with the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk, using the bridge built across the Kerch Strait to reinforce its facilities in occupied Crimea and leaving no Ukrainian movement in the Sea of Azov unaccompanied anyway, the power play is primarily a question of time and mass.

Even in view of all the warnings from the West - deterrence should look different. In contrast, the ultimate notes from the Kremlin in recent days are threatening.