Cuba missile fear as Nato shadows Russian warships

RUSSIAN warships heading to Cuba sailed near the east coast of America yesterday, horrifying passengers on a passing cruise liner and earning a stern rebuke from a defence expert.

- Alessandra Scotto di Santolo

Moscow's naval convoy was shadowed by a Nato fleet but the alarming sight in broad daylight captured from the cruise ship - sparked memories of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Holidaymakers cruising just off the coast of Florida could not believe how close the warships were.

One said: "I could see six ships at one time across the horizon. There have been ships in sight most of the day. I was surprised how close they are. We are not that far offshore."

Nato vessels escorting the Russian fleet included American warships USS Truxtun, USS Donald Cook and Piedra CG, the Canadian Navy's HMCS Ville de Quebec and the French Navy's high seas patrol vessel, the Teriieroo A Teriierooiterai.