Russian Warships Visit Cuba's Havana Again This Weekend

JAKARTA - Warships from Russia's Baltic Fleet will make port visits to Havana, Cuba, on 27-30 July.

State news agency RIA was quoted by Reuters on Thursday, July 25, as saying the Smolnily training vessel, the Neustrushimiy (Fearless) patrol frigate, and the Yelnya refueling tanker will take part in the visit and Russian sailors will meet with the head of the Cuban Navy.

Local residents can board the ship and take a look at Smolnyyy.

Russian naval frigates and nuclear-powered submarines drove into Havana port last month, a stopover that the US and Cuba said pose no threat.

But the arrival of the Russian ship to Havana was seen as a show of Russian power as tensions escalated due to the Ukraine war.

Havana is only 100 miles (160 km) away from Key West, Florida, which is the location of the United States Navy Air Base and such visits are closely monitored by the US.