In a move that harkens back to the height of Cold War diplomacy, a Russian nuclear-powered submarine will make its first-ever foreign port visit in Havana next week. Amidst heightened tensions between Moscow and Washington, particularly over the war in Ukraine, the “Kazan” submarine, accompanied by three other naval vessels, will arrive in the Cuban capital between June 12 and 17. This deployment underscores the enduring “historically friendly relations” between Cuba and the Russian Federation, as declared by the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Cuba has been at pains to emphasize that the visiting vessels, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an oil tanker, and a salvage tug, are not armed with nuclear weapons. This detail is notable, especially in light of the past when Soviet nuclear missiles on Cuban soil precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The Cuban ministry reassured, “None of the vessels carry nuclear weapons,” reinforcing the stance that their presence does not pose a regional threat.
The Russian flotilla is led by the flagship vessel Admiral Gorshkov, which, along with the submarine Kazan, is capable of carrying an array of sophisticated armament, including Tsirkon, Kalibr, and Oniks cruise missiles. These state-of-the-art vessels embody Russia’s maritime might, with the Kazan powered by a 4th generation KTP-6 nuclear reactor, reputed to be the quietest in the Russian underwater fleet.
The timing of this visit coincides with considerable geopolitical flux. Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently hinted at taking “asymmetrical steps” in response to the U.S. support for Ukraine. The presence of the Russian fleet in the Caribbean is being perceived by some as part of this broader strategic posture, especially as it overlaps with President Joe Biden’s attendance at the G7 leaders summit in Italy.
During the Russian fleet’s arrival at the port of Havana, a ceremonial exchange of salvoes is planned. One of the ships will fire 21 salvos as a salute to the nation, which will be reciprocated by an artillery battery from Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces. Such ceremonial acts celebrate and reaffirm the ties between the two nations, which have notably grown closer since a meeting in 2022 between Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and Putin.
Relevant articles:
– Northern Fleet nuclear-powered submarine soon in Havana , The Independent Barents Observer, 06/07/2024
– Russia nuclear-powered submarine to visit Cuba amid rising tensions with US, The Guardian, 06/06/2024
– Russian naval ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, to visit Cuba, CNN, 06/06/2024
– Russian warships will arrive in Havana next week, say Cuban officials citing ‘friendly relations’, ABC News, 06/06/2024
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