Russian warships are making their way to Cuba through Florida’s eastern coastline, shadowed by U.S. naval and air assets. The flotilla should arrive in Cuba Wednesday, June 12.
U.S. and Canadian Vessels Tracking Russian Ships
The U.S. Coastguard vessels CG Stone, USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook, and the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec were all trailing Russian ships traveling to Cuba.
Aerial Surveillance by U.S. and Canadian Aircraft
At least one U.S. Navy and one Canadian aircraft were surveilling the area in the air above the sea vessels.
Current Location of the Flotilla
As of early Tuesday, June 11, the group of air and seacraft were about 25 miles east of Miami. The Russian flotilla is on its way to Cuba.
U.S. Intelligence Expectations
The presence of the Russian flotilla and the U.S. assets were not unexpected to U.S. intelligence and defense officials. A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department said that they foresee “heightened naval and air activity near the United States” during the summer months.
Reason for Increased Activity
The increased activity is due to planned “global Russian naval exercises this fall. Russia will temporarily send combat naval vessels to the Caribbean region, and these ships will likely conduct port calls in Cuba and Venezuela,” the Pentagon official revealed.
Routine Naval Activity
In addition to the increased naval presence in the North American continent, “there may also be some aircraft deployments or flights in the region. Russia’s deployments are part of routine naval activity, and we are not concerned by Russia’s deployments, which pose no direct threat to the United States,” the Pentagon official stated.
Composition of the Russian Flotilla
Russia’s visiting flotilla consists of a frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, a fleet oil tanker, and a rescue tug. The flotilla is expected to arrive in Cuba on Wednesday.
Western Response and Pentagon Statement
While the Russian visit to the Caribbean and Cuba is largely seen as a modest but hostile response to Western support for Ukraine, especially by the United States, the Pentagon stated that the Russian flotilla does not pose a threat to Americans.
Pentagon’s Perspective
Pentagon official Major Charlie Dietz said, “Russia is likely to send combat naval vessels to the Caribbean, with potential port calls in Cuba and possibly Venezuela. Aircraft Deployments or flights in the region are also anticipated. These deployments are part of Russia’s routine naval operations and pose no direct threat to the United States.”
Historical Context
Russian ships have traveled to Cuba annually from 2013 to 2020. The trip is costly to the Russian Navy, which is already taxed by the ongoing war in Ukraine, steep military sanctions from the West, and an aging fleet.
Putin’s Warning to NATO Countries
In past weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that there will be consequences for NATO member countries who permit Ukraine to use weapons provided by that NATO country against Russian assets.
Putin’s Statement on Air Defense
Putin stated, “In the end, if we see that these countries become involved in a war against us, what they are doing makes them directly involved in a war against the Russian Federation, we reserve the right to act the same way.”
Future Military Strategy
Putin said Moscow “will improve our air defense systems to destroy the missiles.” He questioned why Russia should “not have the right to supply our weapons of the same class to those regions of the world where there will be strikes on the sensitive facilities of those countries that are doing this against Russia.”
