On July 27, 2024, three Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet docked in Havana, Cuba, for a four-day visit, marking the second such deployment in just two months. The naval group includes the training vessel ‘Smolny’, patrol ship ‘Neustrashimy’, and tanker ‘Yelnya’. This visit follows a previous Russian naval deployment to Cuba in mid-June, which included a nuclear-powered submarine.Rear Admiral Oleg Gurnov, commander of the Baltic Fleet group, expressed gratitude to the Cuban side for the opportunity to rest after their nearly 3,000-mile journey. The ships were welcomed with a 21-gun salute from the historic Morro Fortress. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reportedly visited the port with his entourage, underscoring the diplomatic significance of the event.The Russian Embassy in Cuba described the visit as a demonstration of the friendly relations between the two nations. During their stay, Russian sailors are scheduled to participate in various activities, including meetings with Cuban Navy officials and tours of historical and cultural sites. The ‘Smolny’ will be open for public visits on Sunday and Monday, July 28 and 29.While the Cuban government has described these visits as a ‘historical practice’ with friendly nations, they come amid ongoing tensions between Russia and the United States, particularly regarding the conflict in Ukraine. However, a U.S. Northern Command spokesperson stated that Russia’s Atlantic deployments do not pose a direct threat or concern to the United States.Political analyst Alexei Makarkin noted that despite the increased naval activity, the situation around Cuba is unlikely to lead to a new Caribbean crisis, emphasizing that the key factor in the original crisis was the presence of nuclear weapons, which were later removed.The repeated visits of Russian warships to Cuba in such a short timeframe have been seen as a sign of strengthening ties between Russia and Cuba, with Rear Admiral Gurnov stating that such visits have become ‘a good tradition’ aimed at strengthening naval cooperation between the two countries.
Key points
- Three Russian warships from the Baltic Fleet arrived in Havana on July 27, 2024, for a four-day visit.
- This is the second Russian naval deployment to Cuba in two months, following a visit in mid-June.
- The visit is described as a demonstration of friendly relations between Russia and Cuba, amid ongoing global tensions.
- U.
S.
Northern Command states that these deployments do not pose a direct threat to the United States.
Contradictions👾While most sources report the ships will stay until July 30, some articles mention an August 30 departure date, which appears to be an error.
