--- title: "Ukraine Situation Report: Donated Sea King Helicopter Makes Debut Near Black Sea" description: "British Westland Sea King helicopters made their official debut in Ukraine on Saturday — even sporting patriotic high-visibility Ukrainian markings — less than two months after [London announced they would be donated]() to Kyiv's cause." date: "2023-01-21" modified: "2023-01-21" authors: - name: "Stetson Payne" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne" url: "https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-donated-sea-king-helicopter-makes-debut-near-black-sea" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Ukraine" tags: - "Ukraine" --- # Ukraine Situation Report: Donated Sea King Helicopter Makes Debut Near Black Sea ![Ukraine Sea King UK]() *Ukraine MOD* British Westland Sea King helicopters made their official debut in Ukraine on Saturday — even sporting patriotic high-visibility Ukrainian markings — less than two months after [London announced they would be donated]() to Kyiv's cause. Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov tweeted video showing the license-produced Sikorsky S-61 variant emblazoned in blue and gold national markings and a Ukrainian Naval Aviation roundel. The video appears to show a simulated combat search and rescue operation recovering a downed pilot with the helicopter’s hoist. https://twitter.com/oleksiireznikov/status/1616858176481017856 The British Ministry of Defense previously announced the Royal Navy had trained 10 Ukrainian crews and supporting engineers in a six-week course for the Sea King before it transferred three helicopters. In Royal Navy service, the Sea King performed shipborne anti-submarine warfare (ASW), search and rescue (SAR), airborne early warning (AEW), and utility transport. Variants also served in a SAR role with the Royal Air Force. The precise version, or versions, supplied to Ukraine have not been revealed, but the accompanying video shows one of the SAR models, the [Sea King HU5]() that was formerly operated by the U.K. Royal Navy until finally retired in 2016. ![]() *Sea King HU5 during service with the Royal Navy. (Andrew Thomas/Wikicommons)* Before we dive into the latest updates from Ukraine, *The War Zone* readers can get caught up on [our previous rolling coverage here.]() **The Latest** Saturday’s intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense highlighted three sectors of the sprawling Ukrainian frontline seeing the most action in recent days. Attacks and counterattacks continue in the north near the town of Kremina, while a vicious [pitched battle]() for momentum continues around the towns of Bakhmut and Soledar. More interestingly, the update also noted both sides forces’ massing in Zaporizhzhia Oblast to the south. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1616684398342029312 It bears mentioning this graphic showing Russian forces’ vast construction of defensive positions, with entrenched fortifications stretching the entire front. The positions protect not only towns, but also the supply lines and road junctions that connect them. https://twitter.com/bradyafr/status/1616586631812636679 We wrote about this growing defensive line, particularly with regard to areas around the city of Melitopol, which you can read about [here](). Ukraine's pleas for more modern main battle tanks continue, and criticism of Germany’s ongoing hold on tank transfers is only getting louder. Pressure is mounting on Berlin, and namely German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, to allow the transfer of [Leopard 2]() tanks to Ukraine, the latest call being joint statement by foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. https://twitter.com/LT\_OSCE/status/1616719054202408962 The statement comes on the heels of this week’s [Tallinn Pledge](), in which a number of NATO members called for Ukraine to receive modern tanks. While the game of diplomatic hot potato over the more numerous Leopard 2 continues, the U.K. has committed a squadron of its [Challenger 2]() tanks to Ukraine, and its defense ministry tweeted video showing the tank’s capabilities Saturday. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1616739706502275074 The [Ukraine Defense Contact Group]() met and adjourned at Ramstein Air Base in Germany this week without an agreement on Leopard transfers, which you can read more of our coverage on [here](). While western governments wrangle over heavy armor, Russian forces are putting their own modern tanks to use. Tank Diary ([@TankDiary]()) has posted several clips from the frontline in recent days showing Russian [T-90M]() tanks in combat, both from onboard cameras and from above via drones. https://twitter.com/TankDiary/status/1616713743378915329 https://twitter.com/TankDiary/status/1616394106254622720 https://twitter.com/TankDiary/status/1615487274741039105 The prospect of facing dug-in T-90Ms within Russia’s network of defensive positions in occupied territory could play into Kyiv wanting more modern western tanks in addition to its inventory of largely Soviet-era tanks. Despite this, Army Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at the Ramstein meeting Ukraine has the firepower, even absent modern tanks, to go on the offensive. Ukraine’s arsenal of improvised weapons continues to grow, as evidenced by this truck-mounted [122mm Grad]() rocket launcher. Although lacking the firepower for a full barrage, especially in comparison to the BM-21’s 40 Grad tubes, these improvised MLRS can shoot and scoot their way around the battlefield to support infantry. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1616658228288360448 Video shows a special unit of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s Main Intelligence Directorate, “Wings,” using first-person view kamikaze drones against Russian positions. The compilation of clips show the compact drones flying in head-first toward their targets, with distant drones capturing the moment of impact. https://twitter.com/PaulJawin/status/1616445183406768128 Finally, it looks like the incredible feat that was Ukraine’s sinking of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship [*Moskva*](), has made its way to the museum. Video shows a science museum in Lviv has an exhibit where with the push of a button, you too can send a model of the Project 1164 *Slava*-class cruiser to its watery grave. https://twitter.com/TarmoFella/status/1616561877466730507 That’s all for now. We will update this story if there is anything major to add. *Contact the author:* [*stetson.payne@thewarzone.com*]() ### Author social links