08:01 26-12-2025

Russian Yasen Submarine Visit to Cuba Alarms US Navy

A Russian Yasen-M nuclear submarine’s 2024 visit to Cuba alarmed the United States, underscoring Russia’s ability to deploy advanced submarines near US naval zones.

A Russian nuclear-powered submarine from the Yasen project made a port call to Cuba in 2024, a move that Washington interpreted as a troubling signal. The episode was highlighted by the U.S. outlet 19FortyFive.

According to the publication, the Yasen-M-class submarine Kazan entered Havana in June 2024. The authors describe the visit as a clear demonstration of Russia’s ability to project naval power far from its own shores and operate confidently in distant areas of the world’s oceans.

The deployment reportedly came as an unwelcome surprise for the United States. In 19FortyFive’s assessment, the submarine may have been engaged in gathering intelligence on the U. S. Navy’s Gerald Ford carrier strike group and potentially sharing that information with Venezuela. From this perspective, submarines of the Yasen class are seen as a particularly valuable tool for the Russian leadership, as they allow Moscow to undermine the effectiveness of U.S. naval forces close to their own operating areas.

The outlet also suggests that Russia may have positioned Yasen or Yasen-M submarines near Cuba, or may have already carried out such a deployment. Journalists speculate that Russia’s submarine fleet is likely attempting to collect intelligence on the deployment of U. S. Navy vessels in waters near Venezuela. They do not rule out that submarines of this type are already operating within the expected area of activity.

Submarines such as Perm and other representatives of the Yasen class are equipped with the Zircon hypersonic missile, which is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. The publication recalls that this weapon, which can reach speeds of up to Mach 9, effectively underwent testing from a submarine platform in 2021. Zircon is fitted with its own navigation system to improve accuracy and is gradually replacing the older P-700 Granit missile.