Sept. 8, 1962
The Kremlin drafts a message to Soviet commander Gen. Issa Pliyev, stating that "you are permitted to make your own decision" on the use of tactical nuclear weapons in Cuba. However the message is never signed by the Soviet Defense Minister Rodion Malinovsky. Above, Gen. Pliyev talks with Soviets troops in Cuba.
Sept. 9, 1962
The Soviet ship Omsk docks in the Cuban port of Casilde carrying R-12 rockets, which are unloaded at night to avoid suspicion. Three days later, a CIA agent observes 65-foot missile trailers moving through Havana en route to western Cuba, but the CIA dismisses the report as unreliable.
Another CIA informer overhears Castro's private pilot boasting about "intermediate range rockets."
MAVI
