A Russian nuclear-powered submarine and three other warships from Russia's fleet are scheduled to arrive in Havana next week, according to Cuba's defense ministry.
The ships are expected to participate in exercises and are seen as a Russian response to US support for Ukraine, according to US defense sources.
"The historical friendly ties" between Cuba and Russia are said to be the background to the visit, according to a press release.
"None of the ships carry nuclear weapons, so their stopover in our country does not pose a threat to the region," writes Cuba's defense ministry further.
The announcement came a day after US defense sources reported that the US had tracked Russian warships and planes expected to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise.
The exercise has been assessed as part of a broader Russian response to US support for Ukraine, according to sources, who also emphasized that the Russian military presence near the US is noteworthy but not alarming.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has proposed that Moscow can take "asymmetric steps" in other parts of the world. This as a response to the US recently giving Ukraine permission to use donated weapons to defend itself against the Russian offensive in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, by striking at several military targets in Russia.
According to Cuba, Russian frigate Gorshkov, nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, oil tanker Pasjin, and tugboat Nikolaj Tjiker will participate. The visit will take place between June 12 and June 17.
