The airline has announced exclusive evacuation flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow so that tourists can safely return from Cuba. Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said that about 5,000 Russian tourists are on the island currently
Russia will evacuate its citizens from Cuba as the United States-imposed oil sanctions threaten supplies to jets in the island country, making travel extremely difficult.
“Due to the difficulties with refuelling aircraft in Cuba, Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind Airlines have been forced to adjust their flight schedules to airports in the country,” Russia’s federal aviation regulator Rosaviatsia said.
The airline has announced exclusive evacuation flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow so that tourists can safely return from Cuba. Russia’s Association of Tour Operators said that about 5,000 Russian tourists are on the island currently.
Russia’s TASS news agency has reported that the Russian Embassy in Havana is in contact with the Russian national carrier Aeroflot and Cuban aviation authorities will “ensure our citizens return home safely.”
Aeroflot has announced repatriation flights for Russian citizens. Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Havana told the media outlet Izvestia that Moscow plans to send humanitarian shipments of oil and petroleum products to Cuba.
Earlier this week, the Kremlin accused the US of using “suffocating measures” against Cuba, a traditional Russian ally, as an energy crisis on the socialist Caribbean island worsened under US sanctions.
Following the imposition of oil sanctions, Cuba announced emergency measures to address the island’s energy crisis, including a four-day work week for state-owned companies and fuel sale restrictions.
“The situation is really critical in Cuba,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
“The suffocating measures imposed by the United States are causing many difficulties for the country. We are discussing possible solutions with our Cuban friends, at least to provide whatever assistance we can,” he added.
President Donald Trump also signed an executive order allowing his country to impose tariffs on countries selling oil to Havana.
Trump said that Mexico, which has been supplying Cuba with oil since 2023, would stop doing so – under threat of US tariffs.
The oil shortages have threatened to plunge Cuba into complete darkness, with power plants struggling to keep the lights on.
Russia has railed against the US campaign against Havana for weeks, calling it “unacceptable” and warning of a possible humanitarian crisis in the country.
With inputs from agencies
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