Michael Duro, a Cuban national, has made a public appeal for help in locating his brother, Yoan Viondi Mendoza, who vanished after heading to Moscow 11 months ago. Mendoza was reportedly recruited under false pretenses to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine. Through an emotional Facebook video, Duro called for international assistance and highlighted the ordeal faced by hundreds of other Cuban families in similar situations.
According to Duro, Mendoza left Cuba with dreams of earning money to reunite with family in the United States. However, since his departure, there has been no news of his whereabouts. "I've sent four letters to Vladimir Putin, the International Red Cross, Interpol, and even former President Donald Trump, but no one has responded," Duro lamented. Battling cancer and living alone in the U.S., Duro's plight is compounded by his health struggles.
Diagnosed five years ago with cancer in his left hip, Duro's condition has now spread to his bones. Once employed, he now relies on an $875 monthly check to survive. His brother promised to find a way to gather the necessary funds and join him in the U.S. "He told me I was dying alone here, and now he might be dead alone somewhere—I don't know where. The authorities, who should be answering these questions, remain silent," Duro shared, visibly distressed.
Desperate Search for Answers
Duro claims that at least 600 Cubans are missing due to the conflict, many young men aged 18 to 29 who were lured by false promises. "They aren't on the casualty lists, yet they receive no pay or information about their status," he warned. He pleaded with Russian and Cuban authorities to provide information on his brother and other missing combatants.
The lack of media attention on this humanitarian crisis was another point of contention for Duro, who urged the international community to amplify his message. "I can't just fly there without knowing where to go or what to do to find my brother. If he's gone, I at least want his body, his remains, to have the peace of knowing we could bury him, so his mother knows where her son is," he expressed tearfully.
Cuban Government's Denial
Previously, Duro disclosed to the independent outlet ElToque that his last conversation with Mendoza occurred on October 3, 2024. His brother's final words were, "This damn connection keeps dropping." Since then, he has heard nothing more from him.
The Cuban government denies any responsibility for recruiting its citizens to fight as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, despite numerous accounts and family testimonies. In a recent interview with Democracy Now!, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated that Havana "publicly denounced" the recruitment of Cubans as soldiers in the war. He claimed European networks were responsible for enlisting people from multiple nations, including Cubans, to join the battlefield.
However, various investigations and firsthand accounts suggest a very different reality. A report from the Ukrainian media outlet Schemes uncovered the presence of several hundred Cubans fighting for the Russian army, many of whom were part of the 106th Airborne Division, active in some of the conflict's most brutal battles, such as Bakhmut. Some Cuban fighters were even identified with Wagner Group insignias, promoting war propaganda on social media platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions on Missing Cubans in Ukraine Conflict
What prompted Michael Duro to speak out?
Michael Duro came forward to seek international support in finding his brother, Yoan Viondi Mendoza, who disappeared after being recruited under false pretenses to fight in Ukraine.
How has the Cuban government responded to the recruitment claims?
The Cuban government has denied responsibility, claiming that recruitment networks in Europe were behind the enlistment of Cubans and that they have publicly denounced this practice.
What challenges does Michael Duro face in finding his brother?
Duro faces the challenges of lack of information, media coverage, and official response from authorities, all while battling cancer and living alone in the U.S.