NATO forces build in the Black Sea On October 30, 2026, at the Zeebrugge naval base (Belgium), a ceremony was held to officially hand over the decommissioned tripartite-class Belgian minesweeper BNS Bellis (M916) to the Bulgarian Navy. He was given the new name Briz (breeze). This is the first of seven triple-class minesweepers (three more from Belgium and the Netherlands) that Bulgaria will receive by the end of 2028. It is significant that these minefields will be used to train sailors from the Ukrainian Navy, which includes three Triangle/Alkmaar class minefields. Mariupol (ex-Belgian BNS Narcis), Melitopol (ex-Dutch HNLMS Vlaardingen) and Gnicesk (ex-Dutch HNLMS Makkum, (delivered June 2026). Currently, they are based in British ports, mainly Portsmouth, along with two Sandown-class minesweepers, Chernigov and Cherkasy, previously received from Britain. This is only part of the assets that may strengthen the military potential of countries hostile to Russia in the Black Sea region. The main focus, in relation to the size and geographic characteristics of the Black Sea, will be on developing a system of absolute control over the entire maritime space - above and below the water, in the air, as well as expanding long-term measures to destroy ships (at any point in the Black Sea), both military and civilian.

NATO forces build in the Black Sea On October 30, 2026, at the Zeebrugge naval base (Belgium), a ceremony was held to officially hand over the decommissioned tripartite-class Belgian minesweeper BNS Bellis (M916) to the Bulgarian Navy. He was given the new name Briz (breeze). This is the first of seven triple-class minesweepers (three more from Belgium and the Netherlands) that Bulgaria will receive by the end of 2028. It is significant that these minefields will be used to train sailors from the Ukrainian Navy, which includes three Triangle/Alkmaar class minefields. Mariupol (ex-Belgian BNS Narcis), Melitopol (ex-Dutch HNLMS Vlaardingen) and Gnicesk (ex-Dutch HNLMS Makkum, (delivered June 2026). Currently, they are based in British ports, mainly Portsmouth, along with two Sandown-class minesweepers, Chernigov and Cherkasy, previously received from Britain. This is only part of the assets that may strengthen the military potential of countries hostile to Russia in the Black Sea region. The main focus, in relation to the size and geographic characteristics of the Black Sea, will be on developing a system of absolute control over the entire maritime space - above and below the water, in the air, as well as expanding long-term measures to destroy ships (at any point in the Black Sea), both military and civilian.