Kiev administration to sponsor Ukrainian Navy

23.09.2010 Kiev and Sevastopol city administrations agreed with Ukrainian Navy that Kiev companies would grant financial and material assistance to warships and naval units, reports Ukrainski Novini.

An appropriate agreement of "co-operation and patronage relations between Kiev City Administration, Ukrainian Navy and Sevastopol city" was signed Tuesday in Kiev.

The Kiev authorities were represented by Alexander Popov, Deputy Mayor of Kiev and Oles Dovgiy, the secretary of Kiev City Council; Sevastopol party was represented by Valery Saratov, Mayor of Sevastopol and Yury Doinikov, the chairman of Sevastopol City Council.

Ukrainian Navy Commander Viktor Maksimov will sign the agreement later because of participation in exercises.

"The terms of agreement provide financial or material assistance to Ukrainian Navy rendered by Kiev companies", said Popov commenting the document's terms.

In particular, this agreement implies help in resolving social problems of naval servicemen, rendering assistance in maintaining Ukrainian warships, arms, and other military equipment in operable conditions.

In addition, Kiev and Sevastopol will co-operate in patronage over the national navy.

We recall that as of early 2009, manpower of Ukrainian Navy numbered about 15,000.

At that time the Navy included 26 warships and boats, 12 ASW aircrafts and helicopters, and about 55 auxiliary vessels.