The Cuban Resistance Assembly and an Ukrainian MP accused the Cuban government of being directly involved in this plot, which has already resulted in the deaths of at least 200 of those recruited.
The Cuban Resistance Assembly, alongside Ukrainian parliamentarian Maryan Zablotskyy, reported on Thursday that Russia has recruited around 20,000 Cuban nationals to fight on the front lines against Ukraine.
The information was gathered by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, which registered 1,208 cases of Cuban nationals serving in the Russian Armed Forces between June 2023 and February 2024 alone.
At a press conference held in Miami, Cuban exiles pointed to the government led by Miguel Díaz-Canel for facilitating these operations, which have involved civilians between the ages of 20 and 60. Most of them, they said, lack the necessary training to fight in the war and are reportedly “killed very quickly” or suffer severe injuries leading to permanent disabilities.
Of the total number involved, about 40% were sent “directly” by Cuban authorities after identifying individuals who possessed passports—a document that is difficult to obtain on the island due to the ongoing political and economic crisis.
The rest, according to the group, were either bribed or misled with offers of jobs in construction or private security, with promises of monthly salaries ranging from USD 2,000 to 2,500. This amount is particularly appealing compared to average wages in Havana. However, these individuals reportedly ended up deployed with Russian forces shortly after.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, at least 200 to 300 Cubans are believed to have died already, while the remainder may still be engaged in active combat. This includes a number of women who, according to the report, have also been recruited to support Russian military operations.
Orlando Gutiérrez, coordinator of the Cuban Resistance Assembly, alleged that President Díaz-Canel receives a financial incentive for each Cuban deployed to Ukraine, similar to the compensation received by the Cuban government for sending doctors abroad—highlighting what he described as a close alliance between Havana and Moscow.
“The Cuban government receives a bonus—Ukraine has the evidence and will present it—showing that the Cuban authorities receive compensation for each individual sent to fight under Russian command in Ukraine,” Gutiérrez stated.
Zablotskyy, for his part, addressed the strategic nature of this relationship and suggested it might even be stronger than Russia’s ties with other allies, such as Xi Jinping of China or Iran’s Ali Khamenei, given the higher number of Cuban citizens reportedly involved.
“This is a staggering number. No other nationality, apart from North Koreans, even comes close to the scale of recruits that Russia is now sourcing,” he remarked.
The first appearance of Cuban fighters in the Russian ranks in Ukraine occurred in 2023, when Ukrainian authorities identified 259 pro-Russian combatants holding Cuban passports, as well as a prisoner of war from Havana.
However, Cubans are not the only foreign nationals fighting alongside Russian forces. In recent months, Western allies have gathered evidence pointing to the involvement of soldiers from North Korea and China in the conflict, especially at times when the Kremlin faced challenges countering Kyiv’s military offensives.
In the case of North Korea, over 10,000 officers have reportedly been deployed, while China lags far behind, with around 155 confirmed Chinese nationals participating to date.
Keep Independent Journalism Alive
In a world flooded with noise, independent journalism is more vital than ever. We work hard to bring you clear, accurate, and unbiased international news — free from corporate or political influence.If you believe in the power of honest reporting, please consider making a donation. Every contribution, big or small, helps us stay independent and keep the world informed.
Support us via PayPalYour support makes a difference.
