Posted on Jul 28, 2023
Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia
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https://www.npr.org/2023/07/28/ [login to see] /ukraine-rebuild-navy-destroyed-by-russia
First, Russia wiped out Ukraine's navy. Now, Russia is blocking Ukraine's critical grain exports on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Ukraine is going against the tide as it tries to rebuild a naval force in the middle of a war. The challenges range from guarding against Russian sea-launched missile strikes, to ensuring the safe passage of Ukrainian wheat and corn to world markets.
Yet on the Dnipro River just off Kyiv, Ukraine offered a glimpse of those rebuilding efforts. The navy invited an NPR reporter for a ride on a river patrol boat, one of about a dozen provided by the U.S. last year.
The vessels, known as the SeaArk Dauntless 34, are just 34-feet long and carry just a few sailors. But they pack a punch.
First, Russia wiped out Ukraine's navy. Now, Russia is blocking Ukraine's critical grain exports on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Ukraine is going against the tide as it tries to rebuild a naval force in the middle of a war. The challenges range from guarding against Russian sea-launched missile strikes, to ensuring the safe passage of Ukrainian wheat and corn to world markets.
Yet on the Dnipro River just off Kyiv, Ukraine offered a glimpse of those rebuilding efforts. The navy invited an NPR reporter for a ride on a river patrol boat, one of about a dozen provided by the U.S. last year.
The vessels, known as the SeaArk Dauntless 34, are just 34-feet long and carry just a few sailors. But they pack a punch.
Ukraine struggles to rebuild a navy destroyed by Russia
Posted from npr.org
Russia
Ukraine
Posted 9 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Ukrainian sailors return home to fight
Meanwhile, back on the Dnipro River in Kyiv, the commander of the patrol boat, Anton, explained why he's here after 20 years on the high seas, where he worked on massive commercial ships.
"I was a merchant captain. I was a captain of a big vessel, a bulk carrier. I was in the United States of America lots of time," said Anton.
His favorite place to work is Alaska, he said, summer or winter. Now, he only wants to be in Ukraine.
"I can always find a job. I can always find another vessel," he said. "But I cannot find another motherland. I have only one Ukraine. So right here, right now, is the best place to be."
Still, it wouldn't hurt if Ukraine got some bigger boats."
..."Ukrainian sailors return home to fight
Meanwhile, back on the Dnipro River in Kyiv, the commander of the patrol boat, Anton, explained why he's here after 20 years on the high seas, where he worked on massive commercial ships.
"I was a merchant captain. I was a captain of a big vessel, a bulk carrier. I was in the United States of America lots of time," said Anton.
His favorite place to work is Alaska, he said, summer or winter. Now, he only wants to be in Ukraine.
"I can always find a job. I can always find another vessel," he said. "But I cannot find another motherland. I have only one Ukraine. So right here, right now, is the best place to be."
Still, it wouldn't hurt if Ukraine got some bigger boats."
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