A group of Russian warships, including a nuclear-powered submarine, concluded a five-day visit to Havana on Monday, departing the port after participating in planned military exercises in the Atlantic Ocean. The presence of these vessels has been viewed by some as a demonstration of Moscow’s military strength amid heightened tensions, with the U.S. and other Western nations supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

The departing fleet, which consisted of a frigate, an oil tanker, and a rescue tug, left Havana’s port slowly on Monday morning. The next destination of the fleet in the Caribbean remains unclear, although earlier reports suggested the possibility of a stop in Venezuela.

Last week, U.S. officials had been monitoring the Russian vessels and stated that they posed no threat to the region, nor did they indicate any missile transfers. Concurrently, the United States had stationed its own submarine, the USS Helena, at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, a move that drew criticism from Cuban authorities who view the base as illegally occupied territory.

The Russian fleet’s visit to Havana followed military drills in the Atlantic Ocean, during which the ships reportedly simulated missile attacks on targets located over 600 kilometers away. Upon arrival in Cuba, the fleet was greeted with a ceremonial 21-gun salute.

During the visit, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel visited the frigate and engaged with its crew on Saturday, as documented in his social media posts. Meanwhile, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío criticized the presence of the American submarine at Guantanamo Base, describing it as unwanted and uninvited.

A spokesperson from the U.S. State Department reiterated that Russia’s port calls in Cuba are routine naval visits and do not pose a threat. The presence of the Russian ships in Havana attracted considerable public interest, with hundreds of people lining up to visit the frigate shortly after its arrival, a customary practice during such visits.

In a separate maritime development, Canada’s navy patrol boat Margaret Brooke entered Havana harbor on Friday, underscoring the international naval activity in the region during this period of heightened geopolitical tensions.