Russian warship docks in S Africa ahead of joint drills
A Russian military frigate docked in Cape Town harbour on Monday ahead of joint naval drills with South Africa and China.
Russia’s consulate in Cape Town tweeted a photo of the battleship, the Admiral Gorshkov, in the harbour.
The drills will run for 10 days from 17-27 February in the port city of Durban, and Richards Bay.
There has been some criticism that the exercise is not appropriate, given that it coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
But the defence ministry has defended the planned drills, saying that South Africa has in the past hosted similar exercises with France, the US and countries from the Western Nato military alliance.
Cape Town hosts #Russian frigate "Admiral Gorshkov". The battleship arrived in the Mother City on its way to Durban where it will take part in joint 🇿🇦-🇨🇳-🇷🇺 naval drills scheduled for February 17-27. pic.twitter.com/RrByExX9H8
— ГК РФ в Кейптауне (@RusConsCapetown) February 13, 2023