NATO Ships Monitor Russian Naval Fleet En Route to Cuba
In a significant naval maneuver, NATO vessels are currently tracking a fleet of Russian warships headed toward Cuba. The NATO fleet includes the American warships USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook, and Piedra CG (758), the Canadian Navy ship HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH 332), and the French patrol vessel Teriieroo A Teriierooiterai (P780) alongside the Frigate La Fayette (FS Guepratte F714). The Russian convoy, led by the modern frigate Admiral Gorshkov and the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, recently conducted drills in the Atlantic Ocean, involving missile strike simulations over 600 kilometers away.
The Russian fleet aims to reach Havana for a set of joint exercises with Cuban forces from June 12 to June 17, as part of an ongoing demonstration of strategic capabilities and commitment to bilateral relations. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that these exercises simulate defense against air and missile threats. Admiral Gorshkov, equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles capable of traveling nine times the speed of sound, exemplifies Moscow's advanced naval firepower.
In response to the proximity of the Russian fleet, which passed just 25 miles off the Florida coast, the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM) deployed three destroyers—USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook, and USS Delbert D. Black—and a Boeing P-8 Poseidon to monitor the situation. Additionally, Canadian and NATO naval assets have joined the operation to ensure the Russian ships continue their journey without incident.
Both the US and Cuban authorities confirmed that the visiting Russian ships do not carry nuclear armaments, emphasizing that their presence does not pose a regional threat. The visit marks a continuation of historically strong relations between Cuba and Russia, dating back to the Cold War era.