Russia is set to deploy aircraft and naval vessels to the Caribbean for military exercises, marking its first air and sea activity in the Western Hemisphere in five years, according to a senior U.S. official.

The Biden administration is not alarmed, viewing the exercises as a “messaging tactic” following the U.S. approval for Ukraine to use American-made weapons against Russia.

Moscow is expected to increase naval and air activity near the U.S., including potential port calls in Cuba and Venezuela, the Miami Herald has reported.

The U.S. Navy is monitoring the situation closely, and officials believe Russia’s actions aim to showcase its naval power and express dissatisfaction with U.S. support for Ukraine.

These maneuvers will likely precede broader worldwide naval exercises by Russia in the fall.

Written by B.C. Begley