Ukrainian MPs are against utilizing the “Ukraine” warship
05.11.2003 13:52

The unfinished “Ukraine” has been the focus of various disputes among the Ukrainian MPs, sometimes within one faction. For example, not long ago Petr Poroshenko, the MP from “Our Ukraine” faction voiced for utilizing the warship. Now his colleague Yuri Ehanurov insists on completing the ship and commissioning it with the national navy, “which will considerably shift the balance of powers in the region”. The missiles cruiser Ukraine was started by the 61 Communards Shipyard in 1984 at the order of the Soviet MoD. Since 1992 this is the order of the Ukrainian MoD. According to the administration of the shipyard at least 150 million hryvnas ($1 = about 5 hryvnas) is required for completing the ship. Then it could be sold for USD500m. However, although the ship is 95% there is no final decision about its fate. At the moment only Russian Black Sea navy has a ship of this class. Russia and Ukraine discussed possible joint sale to a third country, or obtaining of the ship by Russia under the schemes of writing off Ukrainian debts. However, the latter scheme is highly likely. Russian navy thinks that it is “not reasonable to obtain a ship of this age of building”. Maybe “Ukraine” will follow the fate of the aircraft carrier Varyag, which was sold unfinished by the Ukraine to the Makao, Aomen based Agencia Turistica e Diversoes Chong Lot Limitada for $20m.

News source: KorrespondentNet
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