Russia’s deployment of a naval detachment to Havana this week, including a modern frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine, has sparked excitement and speculation on the island. The visit has raised questions about its purpose and implications for the region.
The Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (Minfar) announced that between June 12 and 17, the Russian Navy would send several ships to Havana, including the Kazan nuclear-powered submarine, the frigate Gorshkov, the fleet oil tanker Pashin, and the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker. The Gorshkov frigate is a recent addition to Russia’s fleet and has participated in multinational exercises in recent years.
According to reports from local media outlets, Cuba presented the visit as a protocol visit aimed at strengthening historical ties between the two countries. However, some experts have attributed it to international tensions following Western countries’ provision of weapons to Ukraine. Others view it as an opportunity for Russia to demonstrate its strength beyond its traditional sphere of influence.
The Cuban government may also be seeking Russian support in addressing internal issues such as economic challenges and discontent among its population. Relations between Cuba and Russia have improved in recent years with high-level visits and cooperation in various sectors such as trade, health care, education, and defense. The economic partnership includes initiatives ranging from Russian donations to advisory missions on reforms to lines of credit for Cuba to purchase essential commodities from Russia.
While some people see this deployment as a threat due to geopolitical concerns surrounding Ukraine and Venezuela, others believe it could lead to increased cooperation between Cuba and Russia in terms of defense capabilities. However, there is no clear indication yet what specific activities or exercises will take place during this visit or whether other countries will be involved.
Overall, this deployment marks an important milestone in strengthening relations between Cuba and Russia while raising questions about its implications for regional security and global stability.
