On June 12th, the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the half-submerged nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, accompanied by a fuel ship, sailed into Havana harbor for a five-day visit. This display of naval power by Moscow is perceived as a show of force amid escalating tensions due to its invasion of Ukraine.
Cuba’s Foreign Ministry identified the other Russian ships as the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the fleet oil tanker Pashin, and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan stated that there was no evidence of Russia transferring any missiles to Cuba, but he hinted that the US would stay vigilant. The following day, on June 14th, a Canadian navy patrol ship arrived in Havana, just hours after the United States announced that a fast-attack submarine had docked at its Guantanamo naval base in Cuba, both vessels arriving shortly after the Russian warships.
Despite the long-standing relations between Cuba and Russia, the convergence of Russian, Canadian, and US vessels in Cuba—a Communist-run island nation just 90 miles south of Florida—served as a reminder of Cold War-era tensions and the strained relations between Russia and Western nations over the war in Ukraine.
The Canadian patrol vessel Margaret Brooke began maneuvers early on June 14th to enter Havana harbor, as part of what the Canadian Joint Operations Command described as “a port visit… in recognition of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Canada and Cuba,” adding it was “unrelated to the presence of the Russian ships.”
Additionally, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry stated that it had been informed about the arrival of the US submarine but expressed its dissatisfaction.
As the Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said: “Nava; visits to a country are usually the result of an invitation, and this was not the case.”
“Obviously we do not like the presence in our territory (of a submarine) belonging to a power that maintains an official and practical policy that is hostile against Cuba.”
When asked about the message Moscow was sending through this move, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said: “As soon as it comes to exercises or sea voyages, we immediately hear questions and a desire to know what these messages are about.” She further prompted a question that “ why do only signals related only to our army and navy reach the West?”
Why are warships in the Caribbean?
Russia has previously sent vessels to the region, but this marks the first deployment of warships since the Ukraine invasion. According to Cuban officials, the flotilla’s visit is part of a routine “friendly” exchange between the two countries’ navies. During their stay in the Caribbean, the crew is expected to conduct military training exercises.
However, analysts interpret this deployment as a strategic maneuver by Moscow to demonstrate its naval power in the backyard of the United States. This show of force follows escalating tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly after President Joe Biden’s decision in May to permit Ukraine to use American weapons. The timing and location of the Russian warships’ arrival can be seen as a direct response to these heightened tensions, highlighting Russia’s willingness to project its military capabilities in the Western Hemisphere.