Russian warships with Zircon and Kalibr missiles enter Cuban port

The Russian military frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, along with a tug and fuel ship, have arrived at the port of the Cuban capital Havana, 160 km from the US Key West, where the US Navy air base is located. U.S. officials do not consider this a threat to the United States, Reuters reports.

The four Russian ships arrived in Cuba after exercises on the use of precision missile weapons in the Atlantic Ocean and will stay there until June 17.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the submarine and frigate are carrying Tsirkon hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and Oniks anti-ship missiles.

The Cuban Foreign Ministry said the visit is standard practice for warships from countries friendly to Havana as the two countries strengthen relations. The Russian navy reportedly does not have nuclear weapons, and this was confirmed by US officials, Reuters reports.

White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters on June 12 that such naval exercises are commonplace.

"We've seen this kind of thing before and we expect to see this kind of thing again, and I'm not going to see any special motive in this," Sullivan said.

According to him, there is no evidence that Russia has sent missiles to Cuba, but the United States will remain vigilant.

Some analysts believe that the Russian warships' visit to Cuba is a show of force and a way to remind Washington that "Moscow can be challenged in its own sphere of influence," according to Reuters.

Author - Ihor Lontkivskyi 13.06.24