Russian Warships Enter Havana Harbor – US Sends Submarine

By Olawale Abaire, Warrior Editorial Fellow

On June 12, a Russian navy frigate and a nuclear-powered submarine made their way into Havana harbor, an event both the U.S. and Cuba stated posed no threat. However, it was widely interpreted as a demonstration of Russian power amidst escalating tensions over the Ukraine conflict. In a recent press briefing, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh addressed these developments.

Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized that the U.S. had been tracking the Russians’ plans for this maneuver, highlighting that such activities are not unprecedented. “We’ve been tracking the Russians’ plans for this. This is not a surprise. We’ve seen them do this — these type of port calls before, and these are, you know, routine naval visits that we’ve seen under different administrations,” Singh noted.

Singh’s remarks show the U.S.’s continuous monitoring of any foreign vessels operating near its territorial waters. She stated, “We’re always, constantly going to monitor any foreign vessels operating near U.S. territorial waters. We of course take it seriously, but these exercises don’t pose a threat to the United States.” The exercises in the Caribbean, while routine, are laden with strategic significance, particularly given the current global context.

Cuba, a long-standing ally of Russia, welcomed the ships with cannon fire from the harbor, while Russian diplomats waved small flags and took selfies against the backdrop of the historic fortresses. The Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan nuclear-powered submarine, the latter half-submerged with its crew visible on deck, were escorted by a tugboat and a fuel ship that had docked earlier that morning.

According to Russia’s defense ministry, these vessels had just completed “high-precision missile weapons” training in the Atlantic Ocean. The submarine and frigate are equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, Kalibr cruise missiles, and Onyx anti-ship missiles. Despite this formidable arsenal, both Cuban and U.S. officials affirmed that the fleet carried no nuclear weapons.

The U.S. monitored the vessels as they navigated near the Florida coast but maintained that they posed no threat. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan characterized the naval exercises as routine, noting the absence of any missile transfers to Cuba while pledging continued vigilance.

The Caribbean has long been a region of interest for major powers due to its strategic maritime routes and proximity to the United States. The presence of Russian warships in this area can be interpreted as a demonstration of Russia’s capability to operate near U.S. shores, thereby signaling its naval reach and operational flexibility.