via Zero Hedge
Shortly after the US warned Russia over its “provocative actions” with regard Ukraine…
- *KERRY: RUSSIA MILITARY MOVE ON UKRAINE WOULD BE GRAVE MISTAKE
RiaNovosti reports defense minister Sergei Shoigu saying Russia plans “to expand permanent military presence outside its borders by placing military bases in a number of foreign countries,” including Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Algeria, Cyprus, the Seychelles, and Singapore. “The talks are under way, and we are close to signing the relevant documents,” Shoigu told reporters in Moscow.
The minister added that the negotiations cover not only military bases but also visits to ports in such countries on favorable conditions as well as the opening of refueling sites for Russian strategic bombers on patrol.
This comes as a Russian warship docked in Havana Wednesday, without explanation from Communist Cuba or its state media.
The Viktor Leonov CCB-175 boat, measuring 91.5 meters (300 feet) long and 14.5 meters wide, was 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.
Russia already has a number of bases on foreign soil including: Source
- 26,000 troops in Ukraine
- 5,500 troops in Tajikistan
- 3,500 troops in Abkhazia
- 3,500 troops in South Ossetia
- 5,000 troops in Armenia
- 1,500 troops in Transnistria
- 900 troops in Azerbaijan
- 850 troops in Belarus
- 700 troops in Kyrgyzstan
- 150 troops in Syria
