A Russian naval flotilla is due to dock in Cuba on Wednesday, the first such visit since the outbreak of war in Ukraine and a signal that Moscow’s full-scale invasion is binding Havana closer to its longtime ally.
A nuclear-powered Russian submarine and three warships are expected to fire a 21-gun salute across Havana Bay, to be greeted by the island’s Communist authorities. They are expected to dock in the same place where US cruise ships used to anchor until they were banned by the Trump administration five years ago.
Russia’s port call comes amid escalating tensions with the US over the war in Ukraine. Last week, President Joe Biden authorised the Ukrainian military to strike targets in Russia with US weaponry. President Vladimir Putin responded by saying Moscow might arm more countries hostile to the west.