The Russian nuclear-powered submarine Kazan (L) and the class frigate Admiral Gorshkov, part of the Russian naval detachment visiting Cuba, arrive at Havana's harbour, June 12, 2024. Russian navy ships churned into Havana harbor on Wednesday, a stopover the U.S. and Cuba said posed no threat but which was widely seen as a Russian show of force as tensions rise over the Ukraine war. Cuba said last week that the visit was standard practice by naval vessels from countries friendly to Havana. "At no point have the ships or submarine posed a direct threat to the United States." "The visiting Russian warships are Putin's way of reminding Biden that Moscow can challenge Washington in its own sphere of influence," Leogrande said.

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Persons: Gorshkov, Nikolay Chiker, Biden, Russia —, William Leogrande, Leogrande Organizations: U.S, Reuters, U.S . Naval Air Station, Russia, American University, Washington Locations: Russian, Cuba, Havana's, Havana, Ukraine, United States, Key West , Florida, Moscow