Russian Training Ship Perekop Makes First Togo Visit in 45 Years

Background of the Training Voyage

The Perekop is carrying more than 200 naval cadets from Russia's Admiral Fyodor Ushakov Baltic Naval Institute, who are gaining navigation experience during the voyage. Military personnel from Namibia, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon who are studying naval operations in Russia are also taking part, according to the ministry.

Before arriving in Togo, the Perekop paid a three-day visit to neighboring Benin. During a stop in Cotonou, Russian naval officers met with Beninese military officials to discuss naval cooperation, according to the Russian Embassy. An open day aboard the ship and friendly sports competitions with Beninese sailors were also on the program.

Earlier, the ship conducted joint naval drills with Nigeria involving a Nigerian patrol vessel and a helicopter, with crews practicing coordinated maneuvers and maritime safety procedures.

Extended Itinerary and Mission Scope

The Perekop has also made stops in Cameroon, Namibia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Seychelles during its voyage.

The training mission is scheduled to end on December 9 after visits to 20 ports, including 12 outside Russia, underscoring the scale of the deployment across multiple regions.

What Lies Ahead

The Perekop is currently in the middle of its three-day visit to Lome, with the broader training mission continuing toward its scheduled conclusion on December 9.

The Russian Defense Ministry has not yet announced additional stops beyond those already completed, and further details on remaining ports of call are awaited.