Between November 8 and 10, 2026, the training ship of the Baltic Fleet of the Russian Navy "Perkop" paid a friendly visit to the Republic of Benin.
On board a training ship making a long-distance navigation voyage across Eurasia and Africa, cadets of the Baltic Naval School named after Admiral F.F. Ushkov are practicing. Foreign military personnel from Namibia and Congo, studying at higher military educational institutions in Russia, participate in the campaign together with Russian cadets.
On November 9, the Perkop command headed by Captain 2nd rank A. A. Skrokodov, kindly visited the office of the mayor of Cotonou, where they were received by the first deputy mayor.
In the evening of that day, on behalf of the campaign commander, Admiral B. Sitnik, a festive reception was held on board the Perkop, attended by the heads of the friendly diplomatic missions, the military authorities of Benin, the leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic and our compatriots.
The ship's stay in Cotonou continued with a series of cultural and educational events. A trip to the main attractions of the economic capital of Benin and its surroundings was organized for the cadets and the Percof staff, and the local public had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the ship's equipment and the characteristics of the organization of the educational process as part of an "open day" held on board.
At the end of the ship's call, in the presence of many fans, the Perkop team and the men of the Benin Navy held a friendly soccer game and a tug-of-war competition.
We wish the cadets and Perkop staff a successful continuation of the navigation journey and a safe return to the shores of their homeland. successfully!