Russian warships have been sent to the Caribbean for surprise war games, US officials have said.

The show of force by Moscow comes after the Biden administration authorised Ukraine to use US-supplied weapons to strike inside Russian territory for the first time to defend Kharkiv.

Following Russian advances, Ukraine’s second city is now just miles from the front line and under heavy bombardment from Vladimir Putin’s forces.

The authorisation prompted an angry response from the Russian strongman, who vowed to take “asymmetrical steps” in other parts of the world in response.

The “handful” of ships are also expected to dock in Cuba and Venezuela, according to US officials who briefed journalists on condition of anonymity.

The officials emphasised that Russia had the right to carry out war games in international waters, although Moscow had not given advance warning to Washington, something that is standard practice to avoid miscalculations and potential escalation.

The move comes as around 20 Nato countries launch BALTOPS 24 on Friday, a large air and naval exercise in the Baltic, close to the Russian border.

However, despite Mr Putin’s intentions of projecting Russian military might on the US’s doorstep, the Caribbean military exercise potentially underscores just how vulnerable Moscow’s navy has become.