Ukrainian Navy ships to be on duty in Black Sea on year-round basis

"Navy warships will be present in the areas that are important in terms of defending our national interests," Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Yuri Ilyin said on Friday at a welcoming ceremony greeting the Ternopil corvette that returned to Sevastopol, Crimea after its mission in the Black Sea.

"Ukraine, as a naval power, has national interests in different parts of the world ocean, including certainly the Black Sea, where the Navy will help defend our national interests," the admiral said.