HMS Mersey illuminated in Ukrainian colours docked at home in Liverpool
HMS Mersey was adorned in the Ukrainian colours of blue and yellow over the weekend after she returned home to Liverpool.
The Royal Navy ship was lit up to coincide with the city hosting Eurovision on behalf of last year's winners, Ukraine.
Striking shots of the lit-up River-class offshore patrol vessel have been released by the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Eurovision fever took over on board HMS Mersey last week, with the song contest final being held on Saturday.
On Friday morning, the ship welcomed 80 members of Liverpool's Ukrainian community – many of whom fled to the UK after Russia's invasion last year – on board for a tea party.
Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, Lieutenant Commander James Mitchell, told Forces News: "It's great to be back in our spiritual home here on Merseyside, here in the great city of Liverpool.
"It's just an absolutely amazing atmosphere here at the moment. Everywhere you walk in town, you cannot avoid the Eurovision buzz and the atmosphere that is there."
HMS Mersey docked close to Liverpool's 'Eurovision Village' and her wearing of Ukraine's colours was done in solidarity with the country and in recognition of the winning band Kalush Orchestra in 2022.
The 2022 Eurovision Song Contest winners last year auctioned off their celebrated glass microphone trophy to raise money for the Ukrainian army.
They reportedly raised $900,000 (£713,000) by auctioning off the trophy, and a further $370,000 (£293,000) by raffling off the pink bucket hat frontman Oleh Psiuk wore during the performance.
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