Russian spy ship docked in Havana

A Soviet-made Lada limousine passes by Russian Vishnya (also known as Meridian) class warship CCB-175 Viktor Leonov, docked (Photo courtesy of the AFP)

The AFP is reporting that the Russian naval spy ship, the Viktor Leonov CCB-175 boat, measuring 91.5 meters (300 feet) long and 14.5 meters wide, docked at the port of Havana's cruise ship area, near the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.

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, Russian media sources said.

 

Neither Cuban authorities nor state media have mentioned the ship's visit, unlike on previous tours by Russian warships.

 

The ship is reportedly armed with 30mm guns and anti-aircraft missiles.