HMS Trent returns from voyage to the Black Sea amid tensions with Russia

PATROL ship HMS Trent has completed her first ever mission to the Black Sea.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The Portsmouth-based warship – one of the newest in the Royal Navy’s fleet – is forward-deployed to the Mediterranean.

Having left Portsmouth in March, the ship was deployed to the Black Sea to work with the Ukrainian Navy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Her mission came amid rising tensions between Russia and the west following the annexation of the Crimea in 2014.

HMS Trent during her work in the Black SeaHMS Trent during her work in the Black Sea
HMS Trent during her work in the Black Sea
Read More
Portsmouth warship to sail into Black Sea weeks after Russia claimed it chased a...

During Trent’s mission to the region, she visited Odesa, a port city in southern Ukraine and home to the headquarters of their navy, where she hosted the British ambassador Melinda Simmons and the head of the Ukrainian Navy, Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa.

A memorandum of understanding was signed while Trent was in port and was presented at the event the ship hosted.

‘We are very proud to be a part of this momentous occasion between Ukraine and Great Britain – a great example of Global Britain in action,’ said HMS Trent’s First Lieutenant, Lieutenant Nicola Hall.

HMS Trent pictured alongside in Ukraine.HMS Trent pictured alongside in Ukraine.
HMS Trent pictured alongside in Ukraine.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We are looking forward to returning to Odesa again and hopefully meeting up with our Ukrainian counterparts in the future.’

While alongside in the Black Sea port, Trent laid on some training for the Ukrainian Navy.

Although unable to do this training aboard the ship because of Covid-19 restrictions, the sailors were able to work together on a wide range of skills.

Once this intensive phase of training was complete, Trent headed to sea to work with Starobilsk, an Island-class patrol boat, and degaussing ship, Balta.

HMS Trent, rear, pictured supporting the Ukrainian Navy.HMS Trent, rear, pictured supporting the Ukrainian Navy.
HMS Trent, rear, pictured supporting the Ukrainian Navy.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘The 48 hours at sea were action-packed, with Trent taking the lead on a number of serials,’ said Able Seaman (Above Water Warfare Weapons) ‘Stan’ Matthews.

It was the first time Trent had sailed in the Black Sea and the same can be said for many of the sailors on board.

Another Portsmouth ship, HMS Defender – which is part of the UK carrier strike group protecting aircraft HMS Queen Elizabeth – has since started her brief mission in the Black Sea, supported by Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen.

Trent has now continued her patrol to Albania for defence Engagement activity and will return to the Eastern Mediterranean via the Messina Strait.

Me

Looking for the latest Royal Navy updates from Portsmouth? Join our new Royal Navy news Facebook group to keep up to date.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

You can subscribe here for unlimited access to our online coverage, including Pompey, with 70 per cent fewer adverts for less than 20p a day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.