Russian Warships to Arrive in Havana Amid Rising Tensions Over Ukraine: Varyag to Remain in Mediterranean

Four Russian ships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, are set to arrive in Havana next week, Cuban officials announced on Thursday. This move underscores the “historically friendly relations” between Russia and Cuba, as tensions rise over Western military support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The ships departed from Murmansk on May 16.

In a news release, Cuba’s foreign ministry stated that the ships will be docked in Havana from June 12 to June 17. The ministry emphasized that none of the ships will carry nuclear weapons and assured that their presence “does not represent a threat to the region.”

This announcement followed a statement from U.S. officials who revealed that Washington had been monitoring Russian warships and aircraft expected to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise. The exercise is seen as part of a broader Russian response to U.S. support for Ukraine.

While the presence of the Russian military in the Caribbean is notable, U.S. officials indicated it is not cause for concern. This development comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin hinted that Moscow might take “asymmetrical steps” globally in reaction to President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to defend Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

According to Cuba’s Foreign Ministry, the four Russian ships include the frigate “Gorshkov,” the nuclear-powered submarine “Kazan,” the fleet oil tanker “Pashin,” and the salvage tug “Nikolai Chiker.”

We can therefore say with certainty that, for the time being, the cruiser Varyag will remain in the Mediterranean. The Varyag is scheduled for a series of port visits in South America, and there had even been speculation that it might be part of the Russian “delegation” to Cuba. However, this will not be the case. As of this morning (June 8), the ship is anchored off Tartus.