According to Andrey Kartapolov, head of the Russian State Duma's Defense Committee, the Russian government intends to recruit large numbers of Cubans, estimated by experts to be around 25,000, to fight in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This revelation was confirmed on Monday, with Kartapolov asserting that "you cannot forbid a true Cuban patriot from loving Russia." He emphasized that Moscow is welcoming anyone willing to join the Russian Armed Forces in their "righteous struggle against global fascism."
Speaking to Russian media, Kartapolov stated, "If young Cubans want to assist our country, I see nothing unusual. How many of them will there be? As many as there are. If they have this opportunity, we welcome all who wish to help our people." His comments, shared via a video by Ukrainian Interior Ministry adviser Anton Gerashchenko, are the first official confirmation from Russian sources of a structured plan to integrate Cubans into Vladimir Putin's military. Until now, the Kremlin had either denied or vaguely acknowledged such plans.
These statements align with a report from Forbes last week, which indicated that up to 25,000 Cubans could already be enlisted or in the recruitment process for military operations in Ukraine.
Deceptive Promises and Exploitative Recruitment
As reported by Forbes, Russia is luring Cubans with promises of $2,000 monthly salaries—an exorbitant sum compared to the average $20 a worker earns in Cuba. However, this supposed "opportunity" masks a network of deceit, human trafficking, and military exploitation.
Sources from Ukraine and documents released by media in recent months reveal that numerous recruits were misled by false job offers in construction, only to be sent directly to the combat frontlines, often with no training or clear contracts. Many signed documents written in Russian, without official translation, leaving them legally defenseless.
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence (HUR) noted that employing foreign fighters allows Russia to bypass political and economic costs: "If a foreigner dies, there are no social benefits or responsibilities; no dissatisfied families within Russia; and, of course, fewer Russian casualties," a HUR spokesperson told Forbes.
Cuban Regime's Silence
Despite mounting evidence and international outcry, Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime in Cuba remains relatively silent, addressing the issue with increasing apprehension. The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs has maintained that "Cuba does not participate with military personnel in foreign conflicts," yet it has never denied the existence of recruitment networks or the departure of thousands of Cubans to Russia since 2023.
Investigative journalism suggests that at least 20,000 Cubans have already been recruited, with over a thousand currently fighting in Ukraine. In September, Ukrainian authorities announced the capture of several Cuban mercenaries, one of whom confessed to being deceived by promises of civilian work in Russia.
Analysts agree that Havana allows or tolerates recruitment in exchange for economic and political benefits. Political scientist Alexander Motyl, quoted by Forbes, asserts that "the Cuban regime seeks fresh currency and to strengthen its ideological alliance with Putin."
Motyl added, "For the Kremlin, using Cuban soldiers is a cheap way to continue an unpopular war. For Cuba, it's a source of money and propaganda."
Exporting Desperation
The recruitment of Cubans into the Russian military underscores the social desperation in Cuba, where thousands of young people view the war as an economic escape from hunger and constant blackouts. Ukrainian adviser Gerashchenko remarked that the situation shows how Moscow "is importing cannon fodder from Latin America" to sustain a war that is increasingly unpopular among Russians.
With Kartapolov's statement, Russia openly acknowledges utilizing Cubans on the frontlines, while the government in Havana continues to deny the facts. The complicity of the Cuban regime—highlighted by outlets like Forbes and CiberCuba—places it at the center of a new international controversy, where Cubans once again fall victim to a system that pushes them to die far from their homeland for a cause that is not their own.
Understanding the Cuban Recruitment for the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Why is Russia recruiting Cubans for the war in Ukraine?
Russia is recruiting Cubans as a cost-effective strategy to bolster its military forces without facing political and economic repercussions domestically. This tactic also allows Russia to continue its military efforts in Ukraine while minimizing Russian casualties.
What are Cubans being promised for joining the Russian military?
Cubans are being promised monthly salaries of about $2,000, a significant increase compared to the average income in Cuba. However, these promises often come with deceptive recruitment practices and lack of legal protection.
How has the Cuban regime responded to these recruitment efforts?
The Cuban regime has largely remained silent on the issue, occasionally insisting that Cuba does not participate in foreign military conflicts. However, it has not denied the recruitment of Cubans for the war in Ukraine.