Update:  Friday, August 17, 2012:  Texas Senator Cornyn Demands Answers on Russian Sub in Gulf of Mexico

Russian Akula-class nuclear submarine patrolled for weeks inside the Gulf of Mexico with long-ranged  cruise missiles.  This was confirmed after it left the region.  Source:  http://freebeacon.com/silent-running/

Answers of the Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs S. V. Lavrov to Mass Media Questions, Moscow, 28 July 2012

Question: How can you comment on the Russia`s intent to establish abroad the naval forces bases, including in Vietnam, the Seychelles and Cuba?

S. V. Lavrov: In the present conditions the Russian navy discharges tasked throughout the World Ocean. Currently, it is especially required in the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, where we fight with pirates together with the European Union, NATO, Indians and Chinese, our ships coordinate their actions. There is no wonder about it.

As far as the Pacific Ocean is concerned, Russia is a Pacific power, having the Pacific navy, which exercises cruises and has to secure readiness for response to any threats and challenges. Piracy is not limited by one region of the world. For example, in the Strait of Malacca in the South-Eastern Asia these “guys” often misbehave too. That is why for the Russian navy, serving abroad, throughout the World Ocean it is important to have logistic support capabilities.

We have an agreement with a number of countries so that the Russian ships could harbor and resupply, and the crew could have a rest. The Vietnamese in the Bay of Cam Ranh perform minor repair of the ships, sailing from various countries. The Americans also have their ships repaired and served there. There is no sensation in this issue.

Question: Does it mean establishing a naval base in Cuba?

S. V. Lavrov: We are not speaking of any bases. The Russian navy ships serve, exercise cruises and training in the same regions. To harbor, resupply and enable the crew to rest are absolutely natural needs. We have spoken of such opportunities with our Cuban friends.

Question: How does such plan work?

S. V. Lavrov: It works. As you remember, similar calls were implemented a couple of years ago in Venezuela.

Question: Is it right to interpret establishing of such bases as possible obtaining of arguments in the dispute with the USA on the ballistic missile defense?

S. V. Lavrov: Only absolute paranoiac may think like that. These issues are not anyhow related. I can invert it: look at the routes of American navies that are next larger than the Russian navy. They harbour, resupply and do absolutely the same, and nobody suspects it to be related to some response or search of counterarguments for any situation. It is a normal need of the naval forces of any large sea power, just like the Russian Federation.

SOURCE:  http://www.mid.ru/brp_4.nsf/0/57E305B875AFC17244257A4C00483B9D

PDF of page here.