Dramatic images from the arrival show the ominous and massive vessels entering the bay as Cubans lined up on the streets to take a picture of the Kremlin’s nautical forces.
Some civilians could be seen wrapped up in Russian flags, with the frigate ship in turn flying the Kremlin and Cuba’s colors as its sailors stood in formation while approaching the island nation.
The sub in Cuba was identified as the Kazan, a Yasen-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine.
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National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Wednesday that the US is closely monitoring the Russian military drills in the Atlantic, adding that there is no evidence that Russia is transferring any missiles to Cuba.
Experts believe the exercise is a show of force from the Kremlin after the US allowed Ukraine to fire American-made weapons inside Russia in order to defend Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.
“The warships are a reminder to Washington that it is unpleasant when an adversary meddles in your near abroad,” said Benjamin Gedan, director of the Latin America Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center think tank.
“It also reminds Russia’s friends in the region, including US antagonists Cuba and Venezuela, that Moscow is on their side,” he added.
Well, on the positive side, at least our people have the opportunity to inspect the ships close at hand.
If our intelligence people don’t have Cuba covered like a blanket, shame on us!!