Russia near the U.S. coast: Nuclear sub and warships reach Havana port

On Wednesday, four Russian vessels arrived at the port of Havana. Among them were a nuclear submarine and the frigate Admiral Gorshkov. "Putin's goal is to signal that he still has the capability to operate within the American sphere of influence," assesses international relations expert Cynthia Arnson.

The Cuban authorities announced last week that four Russian ships would pay an official visit to the port of Havana from June 12 to 17. The visit follows completed exercises using "precision missile weapons" that the Russians conducted in the Atlantic. The statement emphasized the "historically friendly relations" between Russia and Cuba. Havana assured that the ships were not transporting nuclear weapons.

This does not mean, however, that the Russian vessels are unarmed. The frigate and submarine can launch Zircon hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and Onyx anti-ship missiles, points out "The Washington Post."

The AP agency linked the presence of the ships in the Atlantic to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's threats to take "asymmetrical steps" in retaliation for Biden's decision to allow Ukraine to use American weapons to strike Russian territory to defend Kharkiv.

Cubans lined up on the Havana waterfront on Wednesday to witness the arrival of the Russian ships. The Russians fired 21 salvos in honour of their hosts, and the Cubans responded with an honorary salute from the San Carlos de La Cabaña fortress.

How did the USA react to the visit to Cuba? The U.S. Department of Defense has been monitoring the Russian flotilla since the visit to Cuba was announced. U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships are "going to continue to monitor," said Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh on Wednesday.

ABC News reported that the observing group includes three U.S. Navy destroyers, a Coast Guard cutter, and allied units - Canadian and French frigates.

Singh also stated that the Russian exercises do not threaten the United States. "This is not a surprise," she added. In her opinion, such "routine naval visits" by the Russians have occurred "during different administrations."

Political scientist Vladimir Rouvinski from Icesi University in Colombia ventured an assessment of the visit. "Efforts by the United States to diminish their presence everywhere, in particular in Latin America, are not working," he stated in an interview with "The Washington Post."

Putin's goal is to signal that "he still has the ability to operate in the U.S. sphere of influence," added Cynthia Arnson, an expert from the Wilson Center.