Three Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters on Saturday, Moscow’s second such maritime voyage in as many months in a reflection of deepening ties between Russia and Cuba. The naval group, consisting of a training ship, patrol frigate and refueling tanker, are expected to remain docked in Cuba’s port of Havana until August 30. The arrival of the vessels comes mere weeks after another squadron of Russian warships, including a powerful nuclear-powered submarine, visited Havana as part of planned military exercises last month.
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- In a show of growing ties, Russian warships make a new visit to Cuban waters
- Date: July 27, 2024
- Three Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters on Saturday, marking Moscow’s second maritime voyage to Cuba in two months, reflecting deepening ties between the two nations.
- The naval group, consisting of a training ship, patrol frigate, and refueling tanker, will be docked in Havana’s port until August 30.
- This visit follows another squadron of Russian warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, that visited Havana in mid-June as part of military exercises.
- American officials monitored the June exercises, noting the four-vessel group posed no real threat, interpreting it as a symbolic show of strength in response to U.S. and Western support for Ukraine.
- Cuban defense officials described the latest port call as a “historical practice” and a display of “friendship and collaboration” but did not elaborate on its purpose.
- The arrival of the warships has generated excitement among the Cuban public, with many visiting the port to see the vessels. Authorities announced that visitors could board the Russian training ship Smolny on Sunday and Monday.
- Russia, a longtime ally of Cuba and Venezuela, periodically sends warships and aircraft to the Caribbean, highlighting strategic ties despite Cuba’s limited role in Russian foreign policy.
- Cuba and Russia, both under severe U.S. sanctions, have strengthened political and economic ties recently, with Cuba seeking economic assistance and Russia seeking diplomatic support for its war in Ukraine.
- Cuba has abstained from U.N. resolutions on the Ukraine invasion and has not criticized Moscow’s actions. In return, Russia has sold significant volumes of oil to Cuba amid Washington’s economic embargo.
The Associated Press has the story:
In a show of growing ties, Russian warships make a new visit to Cuban waters
HAVANA (AP) —
Three Russian warships arrived in Cuban waters on Saturday, Moscow’s second such maritime voyage in as many months in a reflection of deepening ties between Russia and Cuba. The naval group, consisting of a training ship, patrol frigate and refueling tanker, are expected to remain docked in Cuba’s port of Havana until August 30. The arrival of the vessels comes mere weeks after another squadron of Russian warships, including a powerful nuclear-powered submarine, visited Havana as part of planned military exercises last month.
American officials closely tracked the mid-June military exercises, saying that the four-vessel group posed no real threat. At the time, experts described the warships’ Caribbean tour as a symbolic show of strength in response to continued U.S. and Western support for Ukraine.
Cuban defense officials announced the latest port call earlier this week, calling the arrival of the Russian warships a “historical practice” and show of “friendship and collaboration.” But neither government elaborated on the purpose of this latest deployment.
The docking of the flotilla has sparked a flurry of excitement among the general public, with Cubans strolling the port avenue to get a better glimpse of the warships Saturday and authorities saying interested visitors would be admitted on board the Russian training ship, called Smolny, on Sunday and Monday. “It’s a friendly thing. A bond between Russia and the Cubans,” said 29-year-old onlooker Maydelis Perez, pointing the hulking warships out to her three children. “I’m taking a family outing.”
Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean and docked in Havana. Though Cuba is not a key player in Russian foreign policy, experts say that Russia sees Cuba as strategically important given its continued clout among developing nations.
Cuba and Russia — both under severe U.S. sanctions — have strengthened their political and economic ties in recent years, particularly as Moscow aims to boost diplomatic support for its war in Ukraine and Havana seeks whatever economic assistance it can get. Cuba has consistently abstained on U.N. resolutions on the invasion of Ukraine and avoided criticism of Moscow’s war. Russia has sold significant volumes of oil to Cuba, which has struggled under Washington’s economic embargo.
