Russian warships conducted drills in the Atlantic as they headed to visit Cuba, showcasing Moscow’s military power amid tensions with the West over Ukraine. The Admiral Gorshkov frigate and Kazan nuclear-powered submarine simulated a missile strike on enemy ships more than 600 kilometers away. Equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, the Admiral Gorshkov is touted by President Putin as capable of penetrating anti-missile defenses at speeds nine times faster than sound.
Accompanied by two support vessels, the Russian warships’ visit to Havana reflects the historically friendly relations between Russia and Cuba. Cuban officials reassured that the warships will not carry nuclear weapons and pose no threat to the region. This comes after the US announced tracking of Russian warships and aircraft expected to arrive in the Caribbean for military exercises.
While Russia has previously sent warships to the Caribbean, this visit follows Putin’s warning of a potential response to Western allies providing weapons to Ukraine. This could involve arming adversaries of the West globally. The Cuban Foreign Ministry confirmed the warships’ stay in Havana from Wednesday to June 17, highlighting the peaceful nature of the visit. Overall, Russia’s military maneuvers in the Atlantic serve as a reminder of its strategic presence in the region amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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