--- title: "Russia’s Advanced Yasen-M Class Nuclear Submarine Is Headed For Cuba" description: "A Russian flotilla — including a modern [nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine]() — is bound for Cuba for a rare deployment. Cuban officials state that none of the Russian Navy vessels headed toward the Caribbean will be carrying nuclear weapons, in…" date: "2024-06-07" modified: "2024-06-07" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/russias-advanced-yasen-m-class-nuclear-submarine-is-headed-for-cuba" categories: - "Navies" - "Russian Navy" - "Sea" - "U.S. Coast Guard" - "U.S. Navy" --- # Russia’s Advanced Yasen-M Class Nuclear Submarine Is Headed For Cuba ![YAsen-m is heading to Cuba]() *Russian Navy* A Russian flotilla — including a modern [nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine]() — is bound for Cuba for a rare deployment. Cuban officials state that none of the Russian Navy vessels headed toward the Caribbean will be carrying nuclear weapons, in an apparent effort to reduce tensions between Moscow and Washington, but the development once again reinforces renewed Russian interest in the operations in the wider region. In a statement yesterday, Cuba’s Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces [confirmed]() that the advanced *Yasen-M* class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine *[Kazan]()* and three other Russian naval vessels, including the Project 22350 frigate *[Admiral Gorshkov]()*, the oil tanker *Pashin*, and the salvage tug *Nikolai Chiker* will dock in the Cuban capital from June 12-17. ![]() *The Russian Navy frigate *Admiral Gorshkov* arrives in the port of Havana during a previous visit to Cuba on June 24, 2019. *ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images** “None of the vessels is carrying [nuclear weapons](), so their stopover in our country does not represent a threat to the region,” the ministry said. “Visits by naval units from other countries are a historical practice of the revolutionary government with nations that maintain relations of friendship and collaboration,” the statement added. The day before, U.S. officials said that they expected Russian warships and aircraft to arrive in the Caribbean for a military exercise that they said would be part of a Moscow’s broader response to American support for Ukraine. In particular, President Joe Biden’s decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-provided weapons to strike inside Russia has angered the Kremlin. ![]() *The first-in-class Russian Navy Project 22350 frigate *Admiral Gorshko*v was sailing in the Caribbean in June 2019. *Alexander Galperin/Sputnik via AP** “As part of Russia’s regular military exercises, we anticipate that this summer, Russia will conduct heightened naval and air activity near the United States. These actions will culminate in a global Russian naval exercise this fall,” a U.S. official [said](). The same official said that the Russian deployment was not seen as threatening but confirmed the U.S. Navy will monitor the maneuvers. “We are not concerned by Russia’s deployments, which pose no direct threat to the United States,” the official said. “This is about Russia showing that it’s still capable of some level of global power projection.” The Russian flotilla may be small in size overall, but it’s also larger than previous such deployments. Last July, for example, the Russian Navy sent the training class ship *Perekop* into Havana for a four-day visit. ![]() *The nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine *Kazan* at its base in the Northern Fleet in May 2021. *Ministry of Defense of Russia** Significant, too, is the fact that the *Kazan* and the *Admiral Gorshkov* are notably modern and capable assets. Both the *Kazan* and the *Admiral Gorshkov* are equipped with vertical launch system silos that can accommodate [Kalibr]() long-range cruise missiles, which can be used for anti-ship strike and land attack, as well as [Oniks]() supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles. Additionally, the *Admiral Gorshkov* was the first Russian Navy warship to operationally deploy with the new [Zircon]() hypersonic cruise missiles, at least [according to official Russian claims](). ![]() *The frigate *Admiral Gorshkov*. *Ministry of Defense of Russia* www.twz.com* Unlike previous-generation Russian SSGNs, the *Yasen* class — and espeically the [advanced *Yasen-M*s]() — are far more versatile than just cruise missile platforms, able to operate as general-purpose attack boats as well as intelligence gatherers and potentially as special missions platforms. A measure of the capability of these submarines was provided by U.S. Air Force General Glen VanHerck, the head of U.S. Northern Command and the U.S.-Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command, [who described]() the *Yasen* boats as being nearly on a par with U.S. Navy types in terms of quietness. He added that this growing class of submarines will soon present a persistent threat to the American homeland unlike any before. While U.S. and Cuban authorities are downplaying the Russian deployment, in terms of the threat that it poses, Moscow has warned that it could take “asymmetrical steps” elsewhere in the world in response to Washington’s backing of Ukraine. In particular, President Vladimir Putin has said that Russia could supply long-range weapons to “regions” around the world where they could be used for strikes against Western targets. You can read our reporting on this development [here](). One such region could well be Cuba, based on the historically close relationship between Havana and Moscow. Last month, Putin hosted Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel during the annual May 9 Victory Day military parade on Red Square. In general, ties between Diaz-Canel and Putin have become deeper since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. ![]() *Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Cuban counterpart Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of Victory Day celebrations in Moscow on May 9, 2024. *Photo by MAXIM SHEMETOV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images** In Soviet times, Cuba was an important ally of Moscow and deployments by Russian Navy flotillas as well as long-range maritime patrol aircraft were commonplace. The deployment of Soviet nuclear weapons on the island triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. More recently, Venezuela has also enjoyed close relations with Moscow, including [on a military level](). Earlier this week, a senior U.S. official suggested that the current Russian Navy deployment might also include a port call in Venezuela. ![]() *A Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber aircraft is pictured upon landing at Maiquetia International Airport, Venezuela, in December 2018. *Photo by FEDERICO PARRA/AFP via Getty Images** “We are expecting that Russia will temporarily send combat naval vessels to the Caribbean region and these ships will likely conduct port calls in Cuba and possibly Venezuela. There may also be some aircraft deployments or flights in the region,” the official said. Also notable, perhaps, is the fact that the U.S. Coast Guard just released official photos showing operations involving the U.S. Coast Guard [*Legend* class]() cutter *Stone* (WMSL-758) in the Atlantic Ocean, including working alongside the [*Arleigh Burke* class]() destroyers USS *Truxtun* (DDG-103) and USS *Donald Cook* (DDG-75). The *Stone* is also seen during maneuvers with the Canadian [*Halifax* class frigate]() HMCS *Ville de Québec* (FFH-332). The photos, taken aboard the cutter *Stone*, date from between June 3 and June 6 in the 2nd Fleet area of operations and document what are described as “maritime stability and security operations in the region.” ![Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) steams with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone (WMSL 758), June 5, 2024, in the Atlantic Ocean. The ships operated in the U.S. 2nd Fleet area of operations to support maritime stability and security in the region.]() *The *Arleigh Burke* class destroyer USS *Donald Cook* (DDG-75) steams with U.S. Coast Guard cutter *Stone* (WMSL-758), June 5, 2024, in the Atlantic Ocean. *U.S. Coast Guard* U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ensign Alana Kickhoefer* While there’s nothing to suggest the operations are specifically related to the upcoming Russian Navy deployment, the timing of their release, at least, is interesting, with the Russian flotilla due to visit Havana next week. Clearly, the Pentagon is monitoring the situation and some kind of response is to be expected. The U.S. Navy 2nd Fleet was specifically established in response to the [renewed threat posed by the Russian Navy]() in the Atlantic, [especially from new-generation submarines](), something that we have [discussed in detail in the past](). “We should expect more of this activity going forward, although we note these deployments incur a cost on the Russian Navy, which is struggling to maintain readiness and conduct deployments with an aged fleet,” the U.S. official said of the upcoming Russian visit to Cuba. ![]() *The *Kazan* underway on the surface. **Ministry of Defense of Russia*** This last point is an important one and it remains to be seen whether Russia will scale back its future deployments to the Caribbean or whether the current one is indicative of a new and more robust posture. Whatever the case, the United States will keep a close eye on the movements of the Russian vessels, as well as any other additional military activities, which could involve more extensive drills in the Caribbean region. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()