On Friday 3 January 2014, Ukrainian frigate Hetman Sagaidachniy joined the European Union’s counter piracy Operation Atalanta. The warship will be part of the EU Naval Force off the coast of Somalia for two months.

Hetman Sagaidachniy is a Krivak III class frigate. She was commissioned in 1993 and is currently the flagship of the Ukrainian Navy.

Speaking about joining EU Naval Force, the Commander of the Ukrainian Contingent, Rear Admiral Andrii Tarasov, stated “The Ukrainian Navy is very much looking forward to being part of the European Union Naval Force, which I know has made a significant contribution in the fight against piracy over the past five years.”

Hetman Sagaidachniy has a military contingent on board and a Ka-27 Helix helicopter embarked.