A Russian fleet, including a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate, has arrived in Cuba for military exercises in the Caribbean, reflecting Cold War-era tensions. The fleet will conduct drills on high-precision missile weapons in the Atlantic Ocean, with the US Navy monitoring the situation.
HAVANA — On June 12, 2024, a Russian fleet comprising a nuclear-powered submarine, a frigate, an oil tanker, and a rescue tug, arrived in Cuba for a military exercise in the Caribbean. This move mirrors Cold War-era tensions, with the Russian Defence Ministry confirming that the fleet will conduct drills on using high-precision missile weapons in the Atlantic Ocean.
The flagship frigate Admiral Gorshkov and nuclear submarine Kazan are involved in this operation, aiming to test high-precision missile systems through maritime simulations and air attack repelling exercises. The Russian warships will remain in Havana until June 17, according to Cuba’s foreign ministry, which emphasized that the vessels are not armed with nuclear weapons and pose no threat to the region.
The US Navy is actively monitoring the situation with surveillance aircraft but does not perceive it as a national security threat. This deployment follows recent geopolitical tensions, including President Biden’s authorization for Ukraine to strike inside Russia using US-provided weapons.
This naval activity underscores Moscow’s stance in supporting its allies, Cuba and Venezuela, and comes shortly after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met his Cuban counterpart in Moscow to discuss Ukraine. The presence of these warships in the Western Hemisphere, notably close to US territory, underscores Russia’s strategic positioning amid global tensions.
