An American and Canadian naval operation recently tracked a Russian submarine and warships near the Florida coast, sparking concerns.

According to Newsweek, the flotilla, including a nuclear-powered submarine, docked in Havana, Cuba, raising tensions amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict.

U.S. and Canadian forces monitored the Russian vessels closely, with a U.S. destroyer and Coast Guard cutters positioned near Miami shores.

Russian Warships Dock In Havana, Raising Tensions

The flotilla consisted of several vessels, including the missile frigate Admiral Gorshkov, the nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine Kazan, the oil tanker Pashin, and the salvage tug Nikolai Chiker.

One vessel was tracked less than 30 miles off Key Largo en route to Havana, sparking immediate interest from the U.S. Navy. The nuclear submarine Kazan was sent north into the Atlantic, while other ships likely headed towards Venezuela.

Michael Allen, former senior director at the National Security Council, remarked on the situation:

The threat of Russian ships in Cuban waters depends on what they are doing in Cuba. A mere port call is not a threat—we do those all over the world. If there is cargo being delivered to Cuba, if they are installing even more in the way of spy or satellite dishes, that could be worrying about what they are setting up at our border.

U.S. Navy Continues Close Monitoring

U.S. and Canadian warships, including the USS destroyer Truxtun and the Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, were positioned near Miami shores. The U.S. military used unmanned sail drones and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, P-8s, to track the fleet. The Pentagon has stated that the Russian ships posed no threat to the U.S.

Social media played a role in tracking the movements of the flotilla. Open-source intelligence experts posted maps marking the positions of the North American and Russian vessels. The U.S. used maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, P-8s, which used tactical call signs to hamper the identification of the squadrons involved.

Social Media and Intelligence Experts React

Social media users and open-source intelligence experts posted maps and information about the positions of both the North American and Russian vessels. One user, known as The Intel Frog, commented on the tracking efforts:

P-8s tracking the Russian naval group are using tactical call signs to hamper identifying which squadron(s) they belong to. This is more evidence to support the conclusion that the US Navy is monitoring/shadowing the Russian group just off the coast of Florida.

Another user, Schulla, noted the significance of the flotilla’s position: Russia's flotilla is within the sight of Miami. #Putin is sending a clear message to President #Biden.

U.S. Response and Potential Implications

The Pentagon stated that the Russian ships posed no immediate threat to the U.S., though their presence raised significant concerns. Monitoring the Russian flotilla near U.S. waters demonstrates the heightened vigilance of the U.S. military amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Newsweek contacted the Pentagon and the Russian defense ministry for comments, but further statements were not released.

The situation has prompted questions about Russia's intentions in the western hemisphere. The docking of the flotilla in Havana and the potential movement towards Venezuela underscore the strategic maneuvers that are raising alarms in the U.S.

Conclusion

The tracking of Russian warships near the Florida coast highlights the ongoing vigilance of U.S. and Canadian forces amid geopolitical tensions. The flotilla, which included a nuclear-powered submarine, docked in Havana, Cuba, sparking concerns about Russia's intentions.

U.S. military officials continue to monitor the situation closely, with social media and open-source intelligence playing a significant role in tracking the movements of the flotilla. While the Pentagon has stated that the Russian ships pose no immediate threat, the presence of these vessels near U.S. waters underscores the importance of maintaining strong surveillance and strategic responses in the face of potential threats.