Russia's Naval Diplomacy: Training Ship Perekop Strengthens Military Ties Across Africa

The Russian Baltic Fleet training ship Perekop docked in Cotonou, Benin, on Monday as part of a long-distance expedition that has seen the vessel visit multiple African nations since July.

This deployment, designed to provide practical instruction for naval cadets, serves as a high-visibility instrument of Moscow’s deepening military diplomacy across the continent.

The vessel arrived in Benin following a series of joint naval maneuvers with Nigerian forces, which occurred after the ship’s visit to Lagos. These exercises involved the Nigerian Navy patrol vessel Deep Blue Abuja and an AW-139 helicopter, focusing on coordinated ship movements and navigation safety.

Russian Training Ship Perekop Docks in Lagos on Africa Voyage 📌 Its commander met Nigeria's Western Naval Command and offered joint training, with damage-control drills and a football match planned. READ MORE IN THE COMMENT#NigerianNavy #RussianNavy #Perekop pic.twitter.com/wO6RbUscbE

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The Perekop Facilitates Diplomatic Ties Through Port Visits

The Perekop’s route has spanned four oceans, 14 seas, and 23 straits, covering approximately 30,000 nautical miles. While the mission is primarily a training exercise for cadets from the Baltic Naval Institute, it has functioned as a floating diplomatic hub. In addition to Russian personnel, the ship carries foreign military students from Namibia and the Republic of Congo who are currently studying naval affairs in Russia. These port visits have created opportunities for Russian military officials to meet African defence counterparts and discuss closer cooperation.

In Lagos, the engagement began on November 6 with formal discussions at the Western Naval Command headquarters in Apapa. Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, commander of Nigeria’s Western Naval Command, hosted a delegation led by Russian Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Borisovich Sytnik.

According to a statement from the Nigerian Navy, the talks aimed to bolster professional development between the two forces. “Discussions focused on naval training, professional development and possible joint training activities, with emphasis on practical learning and the exchange of maritime experiences between personnel of both navies,” the Nigerian Navy said.

The Competitive Landscape of African Defence

The region remains a competitive theater for international military suppliers, including the United States, China, and various European nations. Türkiye, in particular, has seen an expansion of its military footprint within West Africa, creating a complex environment for African governments balancing multiple international security partners.

Russia's Naval Diplomacy: Training Ship Perekop Strengthens Military Ties Across Africa — Photo: Bignewsnetwork

The Vessel Completes Visits to 20 Ports by 2026

The Perekop’s current voyage is scheduled to conclude on December 9, 2026, after the vessel completes visits to 20 ports, 12 of which are located outside of Russia. The ship has previously docked in Seychelles, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, the Republic of Congo, and Cameroon.