Russia, South Africa and China’s navies will hold joint military drills in in “a multinational maritime exercise” from 17 to 27 February off the South Africa’s east coast near to Durban.
To date South Africa has refused to take sides with the West and the government have not condemned the illegal invasion by Russia of the sovereign state of Ukraine.
The South African government have previously called for diplomacy and dialogue, but now the military exercises taking place next month could be a sign of their support to Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, although they deny they’ve taken sides.
Read more on Russia-Ukraine war:
UK tells Putin ‘we’re in this for the long haul’ and you ‘need to recalculate’ and US warns Europe may ‘have to step up’
South Africa has long standing ties with Moscow as the Soviet Union helped to support Cyril Ramaphosa’s now, the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party in their fight to bring down apartheid.
🔴South Africa, Russia and China set to conduct military drills🔴
A multinational maritime exercise between these three countries termed Exercise MOSI will take place in Durban and Richards Bay areas of Kwa-Zulu Natal province over the period 17 to 27 February 2023. pic.twitter.com/L1uqkagUK1
— The Insight Factor (@insightfactor) January 19, 2023
Earlier this month the Russian warship the Admiral Gorshkov which is carrying the lethal “unstoppable” nuclear capable Zircon hypersonic missiles left the port of Murmansk.
Vladimir Putin said on 4 January as the Admiral Gorshkov set sail from the Severomorsk port, “Today we have an important, if not landmark, event: the frigate Admiral Gorshkov is departing for a long-distance naval mission.
“There is nothing unusual here, this is common practice; but this time the ship is equipped with the cutting-edge Zircon hypersonic missile system, which has no analogue.
“I know that such powerful weapons will make it possible to reliably defend Russia from potential external threats and will help ensure our national interests.”
The Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a warning to the West and NATO, “This ship, armed with ‘Zircons’, is capable of delivering pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land.”
The Russian Defence Ministry’s own channel, TV Zvezda said, “The speed of the Zircon hypersonic missile is so high that it prevents the opponent’s air defence system from detecting its impact in time.
“In fact, its launch will be known only after the target has been hit.”
It is not known if the Admiral Gorshkov will take part in the joint naval drills off the South African coast.
