Havana greeted three Russian warships with cannon fire on Saturday, July 27, marking their second visit to Cuban waters in recent months. The ongoing military collaboration highlights the deepening ties between Russia and Cuba, with the fleet, including a training ship, a patrol frigate and a refueling tanker, scheduled to remain docked until Tuesday.
The visit follows June’s deployment, which included a nuclear-powered submarine as part of planned military exercises.
The presence of Russian military vessels in the Caribbean comes amid heightened U.S. and Western support for Ukraine. Experts view these visits as symbolic gestures of power by Russia. The U.S. monitored the previous fleet’s activities closely but stated that they posed no actual threat.
Cuba’s military described the warships’ visit as routine, though specific objectives for this mission were not disclosed. The presence of these vessels has sparked significant public interest, with many locals visiting the port and participating in public tours of the Russian ship.
Both Russia and Cuba are currently facing severe U.S. sanctions. Russia is using its close ties with Cuba to strengthen its strategic position near U.S. shores and to bolster its global standing amid ongoing international tensions.