Russian ships set to arrive in Cuba as Cold War allies strengthen their ties
CNN
A group of Russian Navy ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, will arrive in Cuba on Wednesday evening as part of “historically friendly relations” between the two countries.
A group of Russian Navy ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, are set to arrive in Cuba on Wednesday morning in a sign of strengthening ties between the two Cold War allies. Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov – the first of a four-ship convoy – has arrived in Cuban waters en route to Havana harbor. The Gorshkov is one of the Russian Navy’s most modern ships. It is followed by the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, a rescue tug, and an oil tanker. It marks the largest show of force by the Russians with their longstanding ally Cuba in many years. The US assesses that the Kazan does not have nuclear weapons on board, a US official said. The vessels will carry out a five-day official visit to the Caribbean island – a show of Russian force just 90 miles from Florida as tensions rise between the US and Russia over the war in Ukraine. According to a Cuban Ministry of Armed Forces statement, on arrival, the Russians will fire a 21-gun salute. The Cubans will answer with ceremonial cannon fire from an 18th-century colonial fort built by the Spanish to guard Havana harbor. According to a Russian diplomatic source, Russia’s ambassador to Havana will preside over a welcoming ceremony for the four vessels.
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