25 Ukrainians from Alfa commandos in EU anti-piracy operation

(BRUSSELS2) Ukrainian participation in the EU anti-piracy operation "Atalanta" is confirmed. At the EU-Ukraine summit, which was just held in kyiv on Friday, it was discussed. And the participants agreed. The conclusions published after this summit thus welcomed the possible contribution of Ukraine: In this regard they welcomed the fact that Ukraine is considering a contribution to international efforts in combating piracy through taking part in the Operation Atalanta. "

In Kyiv

The head of Ukrainian security (SBU), Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, confirmed that 25 men from the Alfa commandos, the special force of the Ukrainian security services, had been specially trained for this and were ready to join the operation, reported Ukrainian media. And we are only waiting for the green light from the Verkhovna Rada - the Ukrainian assembly - at the request of the president. The cost of the operation would amount to around 3 million euros over a year, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

European side

An expert in the file confirmed to me that the will was indeed present on both sides, at the level. But that there was still work. We remain cautious. The practical modalities of association of the Ukrainian forces were studied. These forces can, in fact, take place on board merchant ships, preferably Ukrainian ones, or even WFP or AMISOM ships, escorted by European ships EUNAVFOR Atalanta (or other ships of the multinational forces or national forces, present in the area).

An Arlesian: Ukrainian participation

Ukrainian participation in the Gulf of Aden has been discussed for a long time. General Bentegeat, who was chairman of the military committee until recently, had mentioned it publicly a year ago (read: Ukrainians with Europeans in Operation Atalanta?). And the same commander of the SBU had (already) announced, in March 2009, the rapid arrival of members of the Alfa commandos. We therefore understand the caution of European officials. The seizure of the freighter "Faina", in September 2008, with its 17 Ukrainian sailors and... its load of weapons, had convinced the Ukrainian authorities to "do something". But this had remained a dead letter, in particular for financial reasons. Ukraine's participation in the European operation therefore looked rather (so far?) like an Arlesian. The phenomenon of piracy not stopping, and the Ukrainian sailors being numerous on board merchant ships, the phenomenon has grown. The media coverage reached a peak with the discovery that a Ukrainian child who accompanied her mother remained detained on board the MV Ariana (the captain of the Alakrana had been asked to bring them food). Ukraine being, moreover, in an election period (the presidential election takes place in mid-January), it perhaps seemed urgent to kyiv to act a little more to protect its ships and its sailors...

NB: Ukrainian forces participate in several international stabilization or peacekeeping operations (Unmil in Liberia or Monuc in Congo for example). This is the first participation in a military operation by the EU. On the other hand, the EU has a mission, almost ESDP, of assistance to customs for the fight against smuggling at the borders of the (unrecognized) autonomous republic of Transnistria, between Ukraine and Moldova (read: The Eubam mission at the borders of Ukraine and Moldova).