After a long journey monitored by the US and Canada, Russian Navy ships have finally docked at the Havana port in Cuba.
A video released by the Russian Defense Ministry captures the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the nuclear submarine Kazan, and others entering Havana Bay, just 100 miles south of Florida.
The visit is seen as a testament to the enduring friendship between Cuba and Moscow, with Cuba planning to greet the Russian flagship with a ceremonial salute of 21 cannons.
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Cuba has assured that the visiting vessels do not carry nuclear weapons, although the Russian Gorshkov and Kazan submarines are armed with advanced missile systems.
This week, US, Canadian, and British naval forces closely followed the Russian fleet as it passed through the Florida Straits.
There may have been some tension on the high seas, as the Russian Defense Ministry conducted simulated missile attack drills on virtual enemy ships hundreds of miles away.
Russian warships had been making annual visits to Cuba between 2013 and 2020, with this latest arrival coinciding with heightened international tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine.
Recent statements by Russian President Putin hint at the Kremlin’s readiness to take unconventional actions globally, maintaining alliances around the world.
During a meeting in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised Cuba and criticized Western influence over the conflict, while US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced upcoming talks between President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky at the G7 summit in Italy.
Additionally, the US imposed more sanctions on the Russian economy, aiming to deter foreign banks from engaging with sanctioned Russian entities.