Cuba’s communist authorities have announced that a Russian nuclear-powered submarine, which will not be carrying nuclear weapons, will visit Havana next week. The announcement comes amid escalating tensions with the US over the war in Ukraine.

The nuclear submarine Kazan, along with three other Russian naval vessels—including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, an oil tanker, and a salvage tug—will dock in the Cuban capital from June 12 to 17, according to a statement from Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces.

“None of the vessels is carrying nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region,” the ministry said, AP reported.

The announcement came a day after U.S. officials disclosed that Washington had been monitoring Russian warships and aircraft expected to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise. This exercise is perceived as part of a broader Russian response to U.S. support for Ukraine.

Significance of the deployment

While U.S. officials acknowledged the presence of the Russian military as notable, they stated it was not particularly concerning. However, this deployment follows remarks by Russian President Vladimir Putin suggesting that Moscow might take “asymmetrical steps” globally in response to President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.

The unusual proximity of the Russian military to the U.S.—particularly the powerful submarine—occurs amid significant tensions over the war in Ukraine, where the Western-backed government is combating a Russian invasion. The Russian vessels’ visit to Cuba will coincide with President Biden’s attendance at the G7 leaders summit in Italy.

Cuba-Russia relations

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel recently met with Putin for the annual May 9 military parade in Red Square outside the Kremlin.

Relations between Russia and Cuba have strengthened since a 2022 meeting between Diaz-Canel and Putin.

Upon the Russian fleet’s arrival at the port of Havana, one of the ships will fire 21 salvoes as a salute to the nation, which will be reciprocated by an artillery battery from Cuba’s Revolutionary Armed Forces, according to the foreign ministry.