Four Russian ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, are set to arrive in Havana next week, Cuban officials announced on Thursday. The move comes amidst escalating tensions over Western military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
Cuba’s foreign ministry stated in a news release that the ships will be in Havana from June 12 to June 17, emphasizing that none of them will be carrying nuclear weapons. The ministry also assured that the presence of the Russian ships does not pose a threat to the region.
The announcement follows reports from US officials that they had been monitoring Russian warships and aircraft expected to conduct a military exercise in the Caribbean. This exercise is seen as part of a broader Russian response to US support for Ukraine.
While US officials acknowledged the Russian military presence, they downplayed any immediate concerns. However, the timing is significant as Russian President Vladimir Putin has hinted at taking retaliatory actions in other parts of the world in response to US support for Ukraine.
The four Russian ships heading to Havana are identified as the frigate Gorshkov, the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the fleet oil tanker Pashin, and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker. As a gesture of goodwill, a salute of 21 salvos will be fired from one of the ships upon their arrival at the port of Havana, to be reciprocated by an artillery battery of Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces.
The historic arrival of these Russian ships in Havana underscores the enduring friendship between Cuba and Russia, while also highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.