Russia has lost the Black Sea: Ukraine celebrates Navy Day and is building a modern fleet

The strength of the Ukrainian Navy lies in its people, technologies, and the courage to act

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05 Jul 2026

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Today, 5 July 2026, Ukraine celebrates the Day of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 29th anniversary of the creation of the Ukrainian Navy. The leadership of the state and the Armed Forces congratulated the naval servicemen who thwarted Russia’s plans to establish full control over the Black Sea.

On the eve of the holiday the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in Odesa with Navy troops, awarded 25 servicemembers with state honors and announced the creation of a new mine-countermeasure ship brigade. The head of state also signed a decree on the establishment of a modern Naval Academy in Odesa.

The President emphasized that the Ukrainian Defense Forces have gained unique experience in defending maritime space, which should become the basis for further development of the fleet and cooperation with countries that genuinely support Ukraine.

“The Black Sea is today protected by our Armed Forces, our Navy. And undoubtedly, this is great experience that no one else in the world has. This experience must be spread. First of all build it in Ukraine, share experience with partners – those who are true partners, not on paper, but those who helped and help us during the war”, – said the head of state.

According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the modern fleet can no longer be imagined without sea drones, aviation, helicopters, precision weapons and close cooperation between different units. Ukraine is also continuing the construction of the corvettes “Hetman Ivan Mazepa” and “Hetman Ivan Vyhovskyi”, is developing its mine-countermeasure fleet and modernizing the sea drones Sea Baby and Magura.

The head of state separately addressed graduates and cadets of the Naval Forces Institute, who chose the officer’s path during the full‑scale war.

“Congratulations, dear graduates. Thank you for choosing this path during the war. The path is important for our state. We receive great attention. Not only the respect of countries, but great attention. If we defend our state and defeat the enemy, I am confident in that. But everything depends not only on wishes, it depends, undoubtedly, on people. Therefore I am proud that we have such people. Once again, congratulations on Navy Day. An important day for Ukraine”, – noted the head of state.

Also on the holiday, on 5 July Zelenskyy posted a greeting:

“Thank you to all our naval servicemen, marines, ship crews, coastal units and everyone who serves in the Navy. It is precisely thanks to your courage that our maritime space remains under Ukrainian control, the southern regions are protected from Russian attacks, and the marines, together with other units of the Defense Forces, hold back the occupier on the hardest sections of the front.
The Ukrainian Navy has proven to the whole world that strength is not always measured by the number of ships or resources. Professionalism, determination and devotion to their country produced results that all Ukraine is proud of. We will continue to strengthen our fleet, the marines and all the Navy’s capabilities.
And most importantly – we remember everyone who gave their lives for Ukraine. Eternal honor to our heroes. Thank you to everyone who defends our state. Happy Day of the Naval Forces of Ukraine!”.

The Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi in his greeting stated that Ukraine was, is and will remain a maritime state. He recalled that after the start of the full‑scale invasion Russia sought to destroy the Ukrainian fleet, deprive the country of access to the sea and seize the Black Sea region. However, Ukrainian sailors and other components of the Defense Forces thwarted those plans.

According to the Commander‑in‑Chief, the Ukrainian Navy changed the very model of modern warfare at sea. Advantage is now determined not only by the number and size of ships, but by technologies, unmanned maritime systems, the speed of decision‑making, strike precision and the ability to act unconventionally.

Among the main achievements of the Ukrainian naval servicemen Oleksandr Syrskyi named the destruction of the cruiser “Moskva”, the liberation of Snake Island, strikes on Russian ships, ports, military infrastructure and logistics, as well as the restoration of safe civilian shipping.

In the 30th Marine Corps of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine they emphasized that the main strength of the Ukrainian fleet remains the people who carry out combat missions daily at sea, on land, in the air and under water.

“The Ukrainian fleet was built by people. People who at the time chose Ukraine. And people who today continue that choice every day – in battle. They hold the defense at sea, carry out combat missions on land, cover the sky, operate under water and destroy the enemy where he does not expect it. They are the guards of the Black Sea.
On the Day of the Naval Forces of Ukraine we thank everyone who stands in defense of our state. To all who daily prove: the strength of the Ukrainian fleet – is in its people. Happy holiday, naval servicemen! Together – to Victory!”, – the greeting reads.

The Ukrainian Navy today combines surface forces, the marines, coastal defense, aviation, special units and operators of unmanned systems. Their work has proven that even when the enemy has numerical superiority, Ukraine can force the Russian fleet to abandon occupied bases and hide from Ukrainian missiles and sea drones.