Russian Warships Arrive in Havana, Cuba for Second Time in Two Months
Havana residents gathered along the shore on Saturday to witness the arrival of Russian warships for the second time in as many months. The visit, deemed routine by Cuban authorities, saw the patrol ship Neustrahimiy, training vessel Smolniy, and support vessels from the Baltic Fleet making their way up the bay.
As shots were fired into the air to signal their welcome, curious onlookers, including Cuban fishermen and Russian residents, observed the fleet’s arrival from Havana’s waterside promenade. The ships are scheduled to depart on Tuesday.
This display of Russian naval presence comes amidst increasing tensions between the United States and Russia following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. officials attribute the heightened Russian naval activity in the Atlantic to U.S. support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, relations between Russia and Cuba have been strengthening, with high-level contacts between the two countries reaching levels not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has visited Moscow four times, and Russia has been providing aid to Cuba in the form of oil, flour, and an influx of tourists.
For many Cuban residents, the arrival of Russian ships symbolizes a show of support and friendship. Ana Garces, a 78-year-old retiree, expressed gratitude towards Russia, recalling their assistance during the 1962 missile crisis. “We are very grateful,” she said. “Why should we not receive it with open arms? This is friendship.”
As tensions continue to simmer between global powers, the sight of Russian warships in Cuban waters serves as a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape and the enduring ties between nations.
