Ukraine Could Join Coalition to Unblock the Strait of Hormuz, Says Head of 'Come Back Alive' Fund

Ukraine has the necessary resources to join a coalition aimed at unblocking shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. This assertion was made by Taras Chmut, the head of the 'Come Back Alive' fund and a military analyst. He expressed this opinion during a meeting organized by the United Kingdom, which brought together representatives from 35 countries to discuss the importance of ensuring maritime security in this strategic region.

Chmut emphasized that Ukraine is ready to participate in this initiative by offering two minesweepers, a corvette (without anti-ship missiles), as well as a team of divers and special forces. 'We are ready to contribute two minesweepers, a corvette (without anti-ship missiles), a team of divers, and special forces,' he commented on the social media platform X, responding to a publication by the military information resource 'Militarnyi' regarding the meeting in the UK.

Additionally, the discussion included the possibility of incorporating Ukrainian surface drones named 'Magura' into the coalition forces. However, Chmut expressed skepticism about this proposal due to existing transportation issues.

It is noteworthy that the corvette 'Hetman Ivan Mazepa', which is part of the Ada project, was laid down in September 2021 in the Republic of Turkey for the Ukrainian Navy. Initially, it was planned that by the end of 2022, the ship would be partially equipped and towed to Ukraine for completion. However, due to the full-scale war between Russia and Ukraine, the ship was completed and launched in October 2022 in Turkey. On May 29, 2025, 'Hetman Ivan Mazepa' conducted its first sea trials.

In 2022, the United Kingdom transferred two Sandown-class minesweepers to Ukraine, named 'Cherkasy' and 'Chernihiv'. However, these ships remained in British territorial waters. Additionally, three Alkmaar-class minesweepers were transferred to Ukraine by the Netherlands and Belgium, named 'Genichesk', 'Melitopol', and 'Mariupol'. These vessels also did not enter Ukrainian territorial waters, although the flag of the Ukrainian Navy was ceremonially raised on them in June 2025.

It is important to recall that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved a decree by President Volodymyr Zelensky in October of last year, allowing the deployment of Ukrainian Armed Forces units to other countries for a period until the cessation or cancellation of martial law in Ukraine. According to this decree, the corvette 'Hetman Ivan Mazepa' with a standard crew of up to 106 servicemen is being sent to Turkey. The minesweepers 'Cherkasy', 'Chernihiv', 'Mariupol', 'Melitopol', and 'Genichesk', along with the command of the 1st Division of Minesweepers of the Ukrainian Navy, totaling up to 215 servicemen, are being dispatched to the United Kingdom.