Russian warships arrive in Havana for military exercises in the Caribbean

(12 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Havana, Cuba - 12 June 2024
1. Various of Russian submarine entering the bay of Havana
2. Cannons firing a salute to welcome the Russian ships
3. Various of submarine entering the bay of Havana
4. Doris Vera watching from the Malecon
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Doris Vera, Havana resident:
“I don't think anything will happen (with this visit). The rivalry of the United States is historical, and not only of the United States but of all countries, and since the war with Ukraine everything is much more tense.”
6. Russian ships entering the bay
7. People taking pictures as Russian ship passes by
8. Various of Russian ships entering the harbour, people watching
9. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Osvaldo Sánchez, Havana resident:
“I think that Russia could help us a little more, but first it has to end the war with Ukraine.”
10. Various of Russian ships entering the bay
11. Various of Russian ships and submarine docking at the quay


STORYLINE:
A fleet of Russian warships reached Cuban waters on Wednesday ahead of planned military exercises in the Caribbean in what some see as a projection of strength as tensions grow over Western support for Ukraine.

Three ships slowly crossed the mouth of Havana Bay, accompanied by small boats that guided them through the narrow channel.

The flagship frigate, adorned with the Russian and Cuban flags, was greeted by a 21 gun salute.

Sailors in dress uniforms stood in military formation as they approached the island.

A nuclear-powered submarine arrived behind them.

The U.S. military expects the exercises will involve a handful of Russian ships and support vessels, which may also stop in Venezuela.

Russia is a longtime ally of Venezuela and Cuba, and its warships and aircraft have periodically made forays into the Caribbean.

But this mission comes less than two weeks after President Joe Biden authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia to protect Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, prompting President Vladimir Putin to suggest his military could respond with “asymmetrical steps” elsewhere in the world.

AP Video shot by Ariel Fernández and Osvaldo Angulo

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