The U.S. Navy is monitoring a group of Russian warships, including a nuclear submarine, which is currently positioned off the coast of Florida after completing exercises in the Caribbean.

According to Daily Mail, this marks the first significant Russian naval deployment in the Western Hemisphere in five years and the first deployment of a nuclear submarine since the Cold War.

Earlier this week, Russia's naval flotilla arrived in Havana, marking a significant moment in naval history. The flotilla, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan, the oil tanker Pashin, and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker, has now split.

The nuclear submarine has been sent back north to the Atlantic Ocean, while the rest of the warships are expected to make a port call in Venezuela.

This Russian presence in the Western Hemisphere is noteworthy for several reasons. The deployment of the nuclear submarine Kazan is the first of its kind since the Cold War, highlighting a shift in naval dynamics. U.S. and Canadian warships have been trailing the submarine as it travels up the Florida coast in international waters, ensuring close surveillance.

Russian Flotilla Arrives in Havana

The flotilla's arrival in Havana last Wednesday was a significant event. The Russian vessels passed very close to Florida shores on their way to the Cuban capital, some located less than 30 miles off Key Largo at one point.

The flotilla's presence in Havana included activities such as Russian sailors resting, visiting a museum dedicated to Fidel Castro, and enjoying local amenities like the beach and mangoes.

Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel and CNN toured the frigate, providing a rare glimpse into the Russian naval operations. Despite the heightened activity, both American and Russian officials played down the visit, emphasizing that the Russian warships were not carrying nuclear weapons and posed no threat to the U.S.

Monitoring and Response by U.S. and Canada

As the Russian vessels made their way up the Florida coast, the U.S. Navy deployed several assets to monitor their movements.

U.S. officials confirmed the deployment of three guided-missile destroyers (USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook, and USS Delbert D. Black), a Coast Guard cutter (Stone), and a Boeing P-8 maritime patrol aircraft to track the Russian fleet.

Additionally, the U.S. military used unmanned vessels known as sail drones to monitor the fleet's trajectory, with three sail drones positioned close to Central Cuba on Tuesday morning.

Canadian forces also played a role in the surveillance. On Tuesday afternoon, U.S. and Canadian warships were positioned close to Miami shores and later moved north along the Florida coast. A fourth Canadian warship, HMCS Margaret Brook, docked in Havana at the same time as the Russian submarine and frigate and was later spotted off West Palm Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

Speculations and Official Statements

Despite the extensive monitoring, Russian officials and state media have said little about the fleet's next destination. The commander of the frigate, Admiral Gorshkov, suggested that the fleet was to resume "combat service," hinting at ongoing operational objectives.

In a rare statement, Capt. Pavel Konov commented on the mission's success: "We carried out everything that we planned. We are ready to continue to carry out the tasks of combat service."

This statement underscores the strategic nature of the deployment, even as American officials maintain that the Russian presence does not constitute a direct threat to the U.S. A Kremlin spokesman reiterated this sentiment, emphasizing that countries need not worry about the Russian warships in the Western Hemisphere.

Concluding Observations

The deployment of Russia's naval flotilla to the Western Hemisphere marks a significant moment in international naval operations. The strategic implications are profound, with the nuclear submarine Kazan heading back to the Atlantic and other warships likely en route to Venezuela.

U.S. and Canadian naval forces have closely monitored the situation, ensuring that the Russian movements are tracked and analyzed.

While the flotilla's arrival in Havana included diplomatic and cultural exchanges, the overarching narrative remains one of cautious observation and preparedness. As global naval dynamics continue to evolve, the significance of this deployment will be studied and understood in the context of broader geopolitical trends.