Russian warships in Cuba

Three ships from Russia's Baltic Fleet are set to arrive in Cuba on Saturday, marking the second visit of Russian naval vessels to the island since June. The Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces described the visit as routine, although such consecutive naval visits from any country have not occurred in decades. The ships include the training vessel Smolniy, the patrol frigate Neustrashimiy, and the refueling tanker Yelnya, with opportunities for local residents to tour the Smolniy. This follows a recent visit by a Russian frigate and submarine, which was perceived as a show of force amid rising tensions over the Ukraine conflict. Meanwhile, the Cuban Ministry of the Interior reported the discovery of two abandoned vessels on the coast, giving their owners 30 days to claim them. The situation reflects ongoing maritime activities in and around Cuba, raising interest from international observers, particularly the United States.