There’s some action down at the port again. The Russian Baltic Fleet training ship *Perekop* is scheduled to dock at the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port on September 11 for an unofficial visit. If you happen to be passing by the port, you might just spot the big vessel. This marks its first trip back to Cambodia since November 2019.
According to the Russian Embassy, Russian Ambassador to Cambodia Anatoly Borovik and officials from the Royal Cambodian Navy will be at the pier to welcome the ship. Once ashore, the captain is set to pay courtesy calls on local military and civilian leaders. The accompanying sailors and cadets won’t be sitting idle either—they’ll be heading out to check out Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, and even line up for a friendly football match against their Cambodian counterparts.
Aside from the football game, personnel from the Royal Cambodian Army and teachers and students from the Russian Embassy school will be allowed onboard for tours. This is the second time this year that Russian naval vessels have dropped anchor here; back in April, a group of three warships spent four days at the exact same port. Local media noted that these regular port calls are mainly aimed at strengthening defense ties and keeping naval exchanges active between the two countries.
