“Three more Russian ships are scheduled to visit Cuba, July 27-30. All from the Russian Baltic Fleet, they are the training ship Smolny, the patrol ship Neustrahimi and the deep-sea oil tanker Yelnya.”[1]
“The patrol ship displacement is 3,590 tons, speed is up to 30 knots, an autonomy of 30 days and a crew of 210 people. Recently some of its weapons and support mechanisms were replaced. Now the ship is equipped with modern means of navigation, radar surveillance and target detection, an artillery complex and an anti-aircraft missile system.”
“During their stay in Cuba, the Russian sailors [on these ships] will carry out a program of activities [including] courtesy visits to the Chief of [Cuba’s] Revolutionary Navy and the Governor of the capital, as well as tours to places of historical and cultural interest. Cuban citizens also will be invited to visit these ships.”
According to a Russian military expert, Alexander Sharkovsky, this upcoming arrival is part of the Kremlin’s plans for a permanent deployment on the island. On Russian tv he said, “since the United States intends to deploy its medium-range missiles on German territory, it means that our missiles should be somewhere near the United States. This is a very important strategic reserve for the security of the Russian Federation.”[2]
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[1] More Russian ships on their way to Havana, now from the Baltic fleet, Diario de Cuba (July 25, 2024)
[2] Is gunboat diplomacy back? Moscow prepares permanent deployment of naval forces in Cuba, Diario de Cuba (July 25, 2024); Is gunboat diplomacy back? Moscow prepares permaentn deployment of naval forces in Cuba, Diario de Cuba (July 25, 2024),