Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ordered the immediate formation of a new mine-clearing brigade within the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Naval Forces. This decision was announced in Decree No. 585 dated July 4, 2026, according to “Glavkom.”
The document states that the Cabinet of Ministers must promptly resolve all organizational issues related to the creation of this brigade. The Ministry of Defense and the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have received specific instructions regarding urgent measures to form the new unit.
“This decision was made to protect Ukraine’s national interests, counter the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, respond to security threats in the Black Sea, neutralize the mine threat to shipping, and strengthen the mine-countermeasure capabilities of the Ukrainian Navy,” the decree states.
It is worth noting that Ukraine celebrates Navy Day annually on the first Sunday in July. In 2026, this holiday falls on July 5. The day before, President Zelenskyy made a working visit to the Odesa region, where he held a meeting with the command of the Ukrainian Navy on security issues. In addition, Zelenskyy signed Decree No. 583/2026 establishing the Naval Academy in Odesa.
