A detachment of Russian warships will arrive today in the port of Havana for a visit until 17 June next.

During their stay, the Russian sailors will carry out a programme of activities, including courtesy meetings with the head of the Revolutionary Navy and the Governor of Havana; they will also visit places of historical and cultural interest.

Upon arrival, 21 salvos will be fired from one of the ships as a salute to the Cuban nation, which will be reciprocated by an artillery battery from the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress, the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba recently announced.

The naval grouping consists of the frigate Gorshkov, the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, the fleet oil tanker Pashin and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker.

According to the notification, the visit «corresponds to the historical friendly relations between Cuba and Russia», in addition to complying with «international regulations to which Cuba is a state party».

Visits by naval units from other countries is a historical practice of the revolutionary government with nations that maintain friendly relations and cooperation, the text specifies.

The Royal Canadian Navy patrol vessel HMCS Margaret Brooke and the Venezuelan training ship AB Simón Bolívar will also dock in Cuba from the 14th to the 19th.