At the international Sea Breeze 2025 exercises in the UK, Ukrainian marines surprised NATO instructors with their skill and combat experience. Some units had arrived directly from the front lines, and their expertise made an impression even on proficient partners, TSN reports.
Russia traditionally views the Sea Breeze exercises as a threat to its security, labeling them “provocative muscle-flexing” by NATO near its borders. The official position is that Sea Breeze has a clearly anti-Russian nature, leading to the “destabilization of the Black Sea region” and increasing the risk of armed confrontation. Moscow has repeatedly demanded the cancellation of these drills.
“We managed to surprise our partners and neighbors. The experience of modern warfare that we unfortunately have is unique, and for now, it’s the most relevant,” says Navy spokesman Captain 2nd Rank Dmytro Pletenchuk.
Ukraine not only learns but teaches allies
As part of the land component of Sea Breeze, Ukrainian troops not only trained with new technologies and mine countermeasure equipment but also shared their battlefield experience.
This year, four Ukrainian minehunters took part in the drills, as mine warfare remained the central focus.
“We had something to show our partners,” Pletenchuk emphasizes, stressing the importance of joint efforts for the future demining of the Black Sea.
NATO coordination is critical for Ukraine
Ukraine is actively working on interoperability with NATO member states, especially those with direct access to the Black Sea — Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye.
“We hope our partners will join efforts to demine the Black Sea,” adds the Ukrainian Navy spokesperson.
On 30 June, the second phase of the multinational Sea Breeze exercises officially began in Portland, UK, with the participation of Ukraine’s Navy.
Ukraine has participated in Sea Breeze since 1997, now for 28 years. With the onset of the all-out war in 2022, the format of Sea Breeze changed. While the drills have continued, parts of them have been relocated outside Ukraine to the UK and Romania.