Missiles in Cuba

In 1962 the relations between the United States ofmade the decision of putting some MRBM's (Medium
America and the USSR were worsened. Some of theRange Ballistic Missiles) in Cuba, the closest place to
Soviet missiles were located on the territory of Cuba.the U.S.
This act was considered to be a threat of theIn early May there was a meeting between
Americans with weapons. The cold war started.Khrushchev, Mikoyan and other Soviet Government
In April of the same year the Chairman of the Counciladvisors. Khrushchev requested and Alekseev came
of Ministers of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev,back from Havana to Moscow. Alekseev was
felt the pressure of the United States. Americanannounced to be the new Soviet ambassador to
missiles were installed in Turkey, the country lyingCuba. He knew the plan about missiles' placing. Marshal
across the Black sea from Russia. To hit the States itBiryuzov and Alekseev were sent to Cuba by
would take Moscow some 25 minutes, AmericanKhrushchev in order to get the idea of Castro's
missiles could hit the Soviet Union in 10 minutes. Nikitareaction and to provide cover for the mission. They
Khrushchev and Marshal Rodion Malinovsky discussedneeded to know if it was possible to deploy the
this issue. It was decided that the Soviet missilesmissiles in secrecy. The Soviets offered the Cubans
should be placed as much closer to America. The planthe military support. Castro considered that such kind
was told to another colleague of Khrushchev - to theof actions would defend the Cuban revolution. He
Minister Anastas Mikoyan. The soviet governmentwanted to struggle with American Imperialism.