In a recent interview, former KGB spy Jack Barsky expressed his worry regarding the presence of Russian warships near the coast of Florida. Barsky, who appeared on NewsNation's The Hill, stated that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is engaging in tactics to scare people.

Barsky emphasized the potential risks associated with such tensions, highlighting the possibility of an accidental launch. "I'm worried about that," he stated during the interview. He also stressed that the situation should not be viewed as a routine exercise and must be considered against the backdrop of Putin's claims of fighting against the West in Ukraine.

These concerns from Barsky arise as multiple Russian warships have been spotted near the coast of Florida, further highlighting the escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. The four-ship Russian naval flotilla, which includes the frigate Gorshkov and the nuclear-powered submarine Kazan, recently entered the Caribbean on its way to Cuba, situated just 90 miles off the coast of Florida.

While Moscow asserts that the fleet is conducting routine military drills with its allies in Havana, the sighting of the Russian rescue tug Nikolay Chiker approximately 26 nautical miles from Key Largo, Florida, has raised eyebrows. MarineTraffic, a website that tracks ships worldwide, has provided a map displaying the route of the Russian fleet through the Caribbean.

Acknowledging the heightened tensions, the U.S. State Department anticipates increased naval and air activity near the United States throughout the summer. A spokesperson stated that these actions will culminate in a global Russian naval exercise in the fall. However, they reiterated that Russia's deployments are part of routine naval activity and pose no direct threat to the United States.

In response to Russia's continued war in Ukraine, the U.S. has been providing military and economic assistance to Kyiv, which has drawn criticism from Putin. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov even warned that Moscow might make amendments to its nuclear doctrine due to what he described as "unacceptable and escalatory actions" from the West. Putin echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that Russia could make changes to its doctrine and test nuclear weapons.

As tensions continue to rise, concerns persist over the presence of Russian warships near Florida. The international community is closely watching developments in the region, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.