Russia, Seychelles Hold First Joint Anti-Piracy Drill
Russian frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov trained with Seychelles Coast Guard in a simulated rescue of a vessel reporting an armed attack.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Military
Russia's Pacific Fleet frigate Marshal Shaposhnikov conducted the first joint Russian-Seychelles anti-piracy exercise after a port call in Victoria, Seychelles. Sailors from both countries boarded a simulated distressed civilian vessel and neutralized the attackers.
Why it matters
The drill marks a new level of naval cooperation between Russia and the Seychelles, an Indian Ocean state on a key shipping route. It also shows Russia extending its maritime presence beyond its home waters.
The exercise was the first of its kind between the two countries, and the Seychelles was represented by the Coast Guard patrol vessel Andromache. The reported details do not include troop numbers, vessel counts beyond the two ships named, or exercise duration.
The players
Marshal Shaposhnikov
A Russian Pacific Fleet frigate that conducted the first joint anti-piracy exercise with Seychelles and is set to continue its mission in the Asia-Pacific region.
Perekop
A Russian Baltic Fleet training ship that held joint maneuvers with a Cameroonian Navy patrol boat during a voyage through the Atlantic.
The details
The Marshal Shaposhnikov completed a port call in Victoria before the exercise. Ships from both countries ran communications drills and coordinated maneuvers at sea, then the frigate left Seychelles territorial waters.
Timeline
November 6, 2026: Marshal Shaposhnikov departed Seychelles after the anti-piracy exercise.
Early July: The Perekop began a long-distance training voyage.
Roadmap
Russia's port calls and training drills with African navies form a pattern of building maritime partnerships across the continent and the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles and Cameroon exercises add new partners to that pattern, extending Russian naval reach from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
The exercises show Russian warships operating in Indian Ocean and Atlantic waters, areas tied to major commercial shipping lanes. Partner navies gain hands-on experience in piracy response and coordinated boarding operations.
The takeaway
Joint drills like these show navies building operational ties through routine port visits and shared training. Watching where these partnerships expand helps explain shifts in maritime influence across Africa and the Indian Ocean.
Further reading
For more on naval deployments and defense cooperation, see Military.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TASS.
