The UK and Norway have launched a new coalition of naval forces to support Ukraine by supplying ships and equipment to Kyiv to strengthen its ability to operate at sea.

As part of the Coalition, UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps will today (11 December) confirm the supply of two Royal Navy minehunters to the Ukrainian Navy.

The ministry said the new coalition will provide long-term support to Kyiv, particularly training, equipment and infrastructure to strengthen security in the Black Sea.

Along with this new initiative, the Defenсe Ministry points out that Shapps is to provide further details of the UK's military support for Ukraine.

The ministry says that support within the maritime coalition will be long-term and will help Kyiv transform its naval forces, making them more compatible with Western allies and strengthening security in the Black Sea.

"These minehunters will deliver vital capability to Ukraine which will help save lives at sea and open up vital export routes, which have been severely limited since Putin launched his illegal full-scale invasion," Schapps said.

Earlier, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron promised that London's support for Ukraine will not decrease next year.

Prior to that, Denmark handed over unique drones to the Ukrainian Navy – SeaBat T51 autonomous hydrographic systems, which, among other things, can detect underwater objects.