The Portsmouth-based destroyer has broken away from the UK’s amphibious task group currently operating in the Mediterranean to patrol the Black Sea, working with Britain’s allies and partners in the region to guarantee freedom of movement.
MORE DEFENCE NEWS: Jets scrambled to intercept Russian bombers heading toward HMS Queen Elizabeth | Portsmouth warship HMS Dragon helps Royal Navy to strengthen Ukranian relations
She sailed through the Dardanelles and Bosporus bound for the historic Black Sea port of Odessa, home of the Ukrainian Navy, for a high-profile visit focused on diplomacy and combined training, before paying their respects to the city’s WW2 dead.
The News is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. You can subscribe here for unlimited access to Portsmouth news and information online.
9. HMS Dragon in Odessa
Ship's Company of HMS Dragon paid their respects to the Ukrainian War memorial of the unknown sailor, in Odessa. Laying a wreath and pausing to reflect on the sacrifices made in days past. Photo: LPhot Hutchins
10. HMS Dragon in Odessa
Captain Giles Palin RN admires Odessa from his binoculars. HMS Dragon sails into Odessa, Ukraine. Just days after entering the Black Sea HMS Dragon arrives in Odessa in preparation to play a key role in multi-international training objectives. HMS Dragon links up with the UK task force with RFA Lyme Bay and the UK Flagship HMS Albion for a 3 month deployment in the Mediterranean. MORE than one thousand sailors and Royal Marines have sailed on a three-month mission to the Mediterranean to forge the commando forces of tomorrow. UK flagship HMS Albion has left Plymouth, heading a force which will visit numerous nations across the Mediterranean and Black Sea as the UK’s armed forces nurtures new friendships and cements traditional alliances. In addition, it will allow the commandos to test and develop tactics using innovative new kit. The deployment is intended to test new concepts of the Littoral Strike Group (which replaces the UK’s long-standing amphibious task group) and shapes the Future Commando Force (FCF) – the evolution of the Royal Marines into a hi-tech raiding/strike force – both of which are at the heart of the transformation of the Royal Navy as it enters the 2020s. The group will also support NATO’s Mediterranean security operation Sea Guardian – alongside new patrol ship HMS Trent which is now permanently based in the region – and provide options for the UK to respond to any potential crisis in the area. Known as the Littoral Response Group (Experimentation) deployment, the force includes the headquarters and staff of Commodore Rob Pedre, the Commander Littoral Strike Group, flagship HMS Albion, destroyer HMS Dragon and amphibious support ship RFA Lyme Bay. Photo: LPhot Hutchins
11. HMS Dragon in Odessa
Ukrainian boarding team on board HMS Dragon. Photo: LPhot Hutchins
12. HMS Dragon in Odessa
A Royal Navy Gunner stands guard on the upper deck as HMS Dragon sails into Odessa, Ukraine. Just days after entering the Black Sea HMS Dragon arrives in Odessa in preparation to play a key role in multi-international training objectives. Photo: LPhot Hutchins