Russian warships left Havana Harbor today, setting the stage for a high-stakes standoff. Leading the pack was the stealthy submarine Kazan, followed by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov and two support vessels. As they cut through the Caribbean waters, they weren’t alone—three U.S. destroyers, a Coast Guard Cutter, and a Canadian patrol boat were waiting, ready to tail the Russians every mile of the way.

Word now is the Canadian frigate, HMCS Ville de Quebec, left Miami and is steaming south at 12 knots to join in the game.

This showdown didn’t come out of nowhere. It all kicked off on June 5 when the Kazan was first spotted skulking off the coast of Ireland by an RAF reconnaissance aircraft. The sighting set off alarm bells from the Admiralty to NATO, bringing the U.S. into the loop. American submarines quickly picked up the trail, with the hunter-killer USS Helena shadowing the Russians along the Florida coast to Cuba.

Now, with the Russians leaving Havana, the tension is palpable. The U.S. destroyers are armed and ready, a visible show of force and a clear message: we’re watching. The Coast Guard Cutter and Canadian patrol boat are no slouches either, all eyes on the Russian fleet as it heads into open waters.

This international show of solidarity, involving the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Truxtun and USS Donald Cook, USS Delbert D. Black, the Coast Guard Cutter Stone, and the Canadian frigate, highlights the seriousness with which both nations view the Russian naval activity in the region. As tensions continue to mount over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it remains to be seen how this maritime cat-and-mouse game will play out. One thing is certain, however: the US and its allies are watching closely and are prepared to respond to any potential threat.