There was nothing stealthy about the arrival of the Viktor Leonov CCB-175, which was moored to a pier in Old Havana where cruise ships often dock. But the visit was not officially announced by Cuban authorities.
US officials in Washington played down the presence of the Russian vessel, saying it was perfectly legal and not at all out of the ordinary. "It's not unprecedented. It's not unusual. It's not alarming," a defence official told AFP.
The Vishnya or Meridian-class intelligence ship, which has a crew of around 200, went into service in the Black Sea in 1988 before it was transferred seven years later to the northern fleet, according to Russian media. The vessel previously docked in Havana in February and March last year, staying there for a few days. Those visits were also unannounced.
The highest-level US delegation to visit Havana since 1980 arrives on Wednesday for two days of talks aimed at normalising diplomatic and immigration relations between the former Cold War foes. The former Soviet Union was Cuba's main patron during the Cold War.
- AFP/de
channelnewsasia.com
20 -21/1/15
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Russian spy ship in Havana ahead of US delegation’s historic visit ...
ReplyDeleteThe Russian Navy’s intelligence collection ship, the Viktor Leonov, has docked in Havana just a day before the arrival of an American delegation. The Russian warship is moored in open view of a pier usually used for cruise ships.
The ship’s visit, unannounced by the Cuban authorities, comes as the US and Cuba are attempting to restore diplomatic ties broken in 1961.
The Americans will conduct the first official negotiations with the Cuban leadership in more than half a century.
The Viktor Leonov is part of Russia’s Northern Fleet and is fitted with a wide range of intelligence equipment, a crew of 220 and high-tech electronics......................http://rt.com/news/224627-russian-spy-ship-havana/
21/1/15