U.S. Navy Submarine Arrives In Guantanamo Bay After Russian Warships Reach Cuba

A US Navy submarine has reached Guantanamo Bay in Cuba in a reflection of force as a fleet of Russia’s warships come together to execute military exercises in the waters of the Caribbean.

The US Southern Command informed that the USS Helena, a fast-attack, nuclear-powered submarine, pulled into the waters close to the US base in Cuba on June 13, a day following a nuclear-powered submarine, a Russian frigate, a rescue tug, and an oil tanker into the Havana Bay following drills in the Atlantic Ocean.

The stop is part of a routine port visit as the submarine sails through the Southern Command’s region, as mentioned in a social media update.

Other US vessels have also been tracking Russian drills, which Pentagon officials say don’t pose a threat to the US.

When asked about the drills on Wednesday, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said this wasn’t surprising.

They have witnessed Russia engaging in such port calls earlier.

However, she added that they take these seriously, but the exercises do not pose a threat to the US.

The exercises came less than two weeks after Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to make use of US-provided weapons to strike Russia to safeguard Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin suggested that his military may respond with “asymmetrical steps” elsewhere.

Singh added that it would not be surprising to see more Russian activities around the US as part of global exercises.

The drills are taking place in international waters, and US officials expect Russia’s vessels to be in the region all through summer and possibly stop in Venezuela.

Russia has been an ally of both Venezuela and Cuba for a long time, and its aircraft, as well as warships, have made forays periodically into the Caribbean.

Russian vessels occasionally docked in Havana from 2008 onward when a group of Russian ships entered Cuban waters in what state media called the first such visit in nearly two decades.

In 2015, a survey and communications vessel had arrived undeclared in Havana a day before the discussions between Cuban and US officials regarding reopening diplomatic ties.

Reference: AP News, ABC News

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Source: Maritime Shipping News