Turkey now has the largest military fleet in the Black Sea
17.09.2024 - 10:15
Previously, Russia had this status, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine successfully disabled the ships of the aggressor country.
Turkey currently has the largest military fleet in the Black Sea. Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said this in an interview with “RBK-Ukraine”, “Ukrinform”пише.
“Thanks to the actions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, Turkey has become the leader in the Black Sea in terms of the number of warships. It is important for Turkey that the Black Sea be a safe zone, that Russian aggression ceases, and that it is possible to resume full-fledged economic cooperation for the benefit of the entire region,” the ambassador emphasized.
Bodnar also reminded that Turkey is actively strengthening its naval forces and building two “Ada” type corvettes for Ukraine.
Bodnar noted that it is difficult to talk about the complete restoration of the region until the end of the war, but many interests of Ukraine and Turkey coincide. Ankara supports the territorial integrity of Ukraine and does not recognize the occupation of Crimea.
The first corvette for Ukraine “Ivan Mazepa” is already undergoing trials and may join the Navy of Ukraine at the end of this year. The second corvette “Ivan Vyhovskyi” is planned to be commissioned in 2026.
In addition, Turkey, together with Romania and Bulgaria, has been carrying out anti-mine operations in the Black Sea since July 1 to increase the safety of shipping, in particular, for Ukrainian grain exports.
USM recently wrote that shipowners from Turkey most often call at the ports of Great Odesa.
