The naval group, consisting of a training ship, patrol frigate, and refueling tanker, was due to remain docked in Cuba’s port of Havana until July 30.
They arrived weeks after another squadron of Russian warships, including a powerful nuclear-powered submarine, visited Havana as part of planned military exercises last month.
It highlighted growing cooperation between Russia and Communist-run Cuba as East-West tensions have risen to the worst standoff since the Cuban missile crisis brought the world close to nuclear warfare.
American officials were closely monitoring the latest arrival of Russian warships just 90 miles (145 kilometers) from Key West, the southernmost point of the U.S. state of Florida.
Experts have described the warships’ Caribbean tour as a symbolic show of strength in response to continued U.S. and Western support for Ukraine, which Russia invaded in February 2022.
Cuban defense officials called the arrival of the Russian warships a “historical practice” and a show of “friendship and collaboration.”
However, neither government elaborated on the purpose of this latest deployment, raising concerns among Western officials.
The arrival of warships also follows other potential military threats, with Chinese and Russian warplanes approaching North American air space recently, adding pressure on the frail US President Joe Biden.
Both Russia and China have made it clear that they seek a new world order that the United States no longer dominates.
Access to a Cuban port near the U.S. is part of Russian endeavors to increase its regional influence.
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