• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

266* Akvamarine/Natya I/II class

Standard general-purpose oceangoing minesweeper; also intended as a coastal ASW escort in wartime. Production resumed in the 1990's, apparently mainly for export, but several of the new units were acquired by the Russian navy. Later units vary in weapons and electronics. Natya II: Variant of the standard 'Natya-I' class outfitted as a trials ship for a new minehunting sonar. Probably capable of serving as an operational minehunter. Most armament and sweep gear omitted from this unit. Two units were tranfered to Ukraine.

The ships project 266 (code "Aquamarine") became the first Soviet marine tral'sikami with minimal own physical fields. The main series Minesweeper joined the Soviet Navy in 1963 to protect from mines with magnetic detonator. To protect against acoustic mines the foundations main engines and diesel generators were padded with rubber, installation of mechanisms for isolating dampers; installation of flexible inserts in pipes; application of low-noise propellers controlled step large-diameter, as well as the installation of low-noise machinery and equipment.

From 1963 to 1971 some 40 ships of this project were built. The first ship was included in the Soviet Navy in 1963. The disadvantages of this project include the lack of search tools and identify bottom mines. Elimination of the noted deficiencies project 266 was carried out in the course of modernization of its project 266 m (code "Aquamarine"). replacing electromagnetic plain type on deepwater with the new equipment management; adoption of destruction of active mines; installationo broadband TV search. These and other above activities led to an increase in length and displacement. In the process of construction and repairs on MTS projects, 266 and 267 m were given "Strela-3" MANPADS.

Naval Minesweeper "Cherkasy" was built in the mid-to-Nevsky SBZ in Leningrad (head # 950) in 1976. From 1977 to 1989 he was on conservation. The ship repeatedly took part in the fighting services in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Atlantic. So, for the period January-August 1990 MTS, "Razvedcik" repeatedly performed trawling mìnonebezpecnih areas of the Red Sea. Launched 29 wires tralami and escort civilian ships in the Red Sea, only spent 52 ships. Of them 11 konvoïv carried out under shelling rocket-propelled projectiles. During the Division of the Black Sea fleet, Ukrainian Navy was transferred to 5.08.1997, where it was renamed to Cherkassy, and received onboard U-number 311.

Ships of the BlackSeaFor mixed operative action group on 14 October 2001 arrived at the Georgian port of Poti. The Black Sea naval operative group was created by Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine and Georgia. It has been operating since September 27. Its goal is to strengthen friendly relations and mutual trust among the nations of the region. It is meant for carrying out search-and-rescue operations in the sea, providing humanitarian assistance, mine clearing, and protecting environment. Every country in the group is represented by one ship. Ukraine was represented by the Cherkassy minesweeper. The ships stayed in Georgia through October 16 till the completion of the first joint exercise of the BlackSeaFor group.

In March 2013 the Ukrainian Navy completed the preparation activities for Cherkasy (U311) minesweeper participation in April 2013 activation of the Black Sea Naval Cooperation Task Group (BLACKSEAFOR). The crew has recently executed a series of tasks in Black Sea. In particular, they worked out cargoes transfer in the open sea and assistance provision to a ship in distress; as well as some air defense operations. The minesweeper had already completed several trials this year. Soon, a group of officers of the Navy’s Command, Ukrainian Armed Forces, would arrive to the minesweeper in order to accomplish final checks and inspection before its participation in BLACKSEAFOR activation to be held on April 5 – 23.

The Ukrainian navy began a large exercise involving around 1,300 troops 06/09/2006 , the press service of the Defense Ministry said today. The exercise will also involve about 20 warships, boats and auxiliary ships, including the Hetman Sagaidachny frigate, the Lutsk and Ternopil corvettes, the Chernigiv mine sweeper, coast guard, marine, air force and logistics units.

Khmelnitsky (U208) corvette and Chernihiv (U310) minesweeper worked out a range of tasks during maneuvers on 13 February 2012 in Black Sea. According to Capt. 1st Rank Andriy Tarasov, Chief of Center for Naval Operations, Ukrainian Navy, the ships completed different tasks during these evolutions. “Minesweeper is in intensive preparation period, while corvette has basic preparation period. Having been repaired, Khmelnitsky crew recovers combat readiness of armament and technical readiness of ship electromechanic part. The crew in cooperation with representatives of industry conducted trials of main engines,” informed Capt. 1st Rank Andriy Tarasov. Both ships completed gun practice. In particular, Chernihiv minesweeper in cooperation with naval aviation completed air and naval targets. Besides, the specialists exploded floating mine. Khmelnitsky executed gun practice.

On 29 April 2013 the Ukrainian Navy Chernihiv minesweeper led by Capt. 3rd Rank Borys Paliy came back to permanent location having completed tasks of combat service in defined areas of Black Sea during a month. The ship in cooperation with aviation accomplished tasks related to protection of Ukraine’s interests in naval economic zone of Ukraine. Besides, Chernihiv requested 39 ships within Black Sea Harmony Counter-piracy Operation related to navigation control. Over 1,500 nautical miles are astern Chernihiv. In February-March Ternopil corvette completed tasks of combat service in define dares.

Both units were under the control of Russian invaders from March 2014. Russian forces took over the Ukrainian minesweeper Cherkasy, the last military ship controlled by Ukraine in Crimea, in an operation in which they used stun grenades and fired in the air. There were no injuries and the crew remained on board until the morning when they went ashore. During the take-over, which began the previous evening, the minesweeper used water cannons in an effort to repel the Russian forces who had approached the Cherkasy in speedboats.