Four Russian naval vessels – including a nuclear-powered submarine and a frigate – have arrived in Cuba, in what is seen as a show of force amid tensions with the West over the war in Ukraine.

The vessels are anchored at the Havana Bay – some 90 miles (145km) from the US state of Florida.

Russia’s defence ministry says the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Kazan submarine are both carriers of advanced weapons, including hypersonic missiles Zircon. They earlier conducted missile drills in the Atlantic.

But Cuba’s foreign ministry says none of the vessels has nuclear arms on board, and their five-day visit does not pose a threat to the region.

US officials say they are closely monitoring the visit.

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