The South African Navy hosted crew members of the Russian Navy training ship Smolny during its port call in Cape Town from 5 to 8 August, part of a long-distance training voyage that began in Kronstadt, Russia, in late June. The ship’s itinerary has included stops in Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and the Republic of the Congo, with future visits planned for Tanzania and Vietnam before returning to Vladivostok in September.
Upon arrival, the Smolny was welcomed by SA Navy representatives. A reception was held onboard, attended by 30 South African naval officers, followed by joint Passage Exercises at sea with the SAS Amatola and SAS Adam Kok III. These short-term maritime drills aim to enhance interoperability and cooperation between partner navies.
In a statement, the SA Navy highlighted its “longstanding, mutually beneficial relationship” with the Russian Navy through BRICS cooperation, noting that these ties often lead to bilateral exercises and skills exchanges. Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, Chief of the SA Navy, reaffirmed the commitment to naval collaboration, saying the friendship would last “until the Indian and Atlantic Oceans… dry up.”
Disembarkation Dispute
The visit stirred political debate after opposition parties claimed Russian sailors were barred from entering Cape Town. The MK Party and Economic Freedom Fighters condemned the decision, citing Russia’s historic support for South Africa’s liberation movements.
However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation clarified that the restriction was procedural, not political. Deputy Director-General Clayson Monyela said sailors could not disembark because they did not have passports—only seafarer identification documents. The Border Management Authority confirmed the vessel had diplomatic clearance but its crew could not go ashore without valid travel documents.
About the Smolny
The Smolny carries around 400 personnel, including 200 Russian naval cadets and 15 Tanzanian military students. Commissioned in 1976, the 138-metre vessel has a range of 9,000 nautical miles at 14 knots, a top speed of 20 knots, and is armed with four 76mm guns and two twin 30mm anti-aircraft guns. Over its 50-year service, it has trained more than 45,000 cadets.
Last year, the Smolny visited several African nations, including South Africa, as well as Venezuela and Cuba, as part of its global training missions.
