Russian strategic bomber crews — and notably not their aircraft — arrived in Cuba on July 24, according to unconfirmed reports by the Russian daily Izvestia, which initially cited unidentified Russian defense sources and later claimed confirmation by Defense Ministry officials. It is worth noting that while Izvestia is not connected with the Kremlin, it is affiliated with the old-guard Siloviki — which still fantasizes about the Cold War. Another Russian news agency, Interfax, quickly carried denials that any actual bombers had landed in the Caribbean nation (they have not done so since Soviet times). Rumors have been flying over the past week about the stationing of Russian bombers in Cuba, the reactivation of a radar installation there and construction of a military base in Venezuela. STRATFOR has been unable to independently corroborate any current Russian intentions to establish a permanent military base in the Western Hemisphere.