Among the nations supplying the largest contingents of mercenaries to Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, Cuba ranks prominently. According to the Ukrainian Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD), Cuba provided 1,028 mercenaries, trailing behind countries like Uzbekistan with 2,715, Tajikistan with 1,599, Kazakhstan with 1,190, and Belarus with 1,338.
However, the leading contributor is North Korea, which has recruited approximately 12,000 individuals to the Russian cause. The report states that about 18,000 foreigners from 128 countries have been involved in the conflict since 2022, lured by deception, coercion, or economic incentives.
“Russia has established a global recruitment system for foreign fighters, employing fraudulent and criminal methods,” the report reveals. The recruitment is a systematic practice involving state actors and private military companies, often masquerading as employment agencies or cultural programs targeting economically vulnerable populations.
Individuals from numerous countries, stretching from Asia to Africa, have been deployed to the front lines, with many facing death or capture. Furthermore, the report highlights that since mid-2025, Russia has intensified its online recruitment efforts, with one-third of military contract advertisements aimed at foreigners, particularly from Central Asia, Africa, South Asia, and the Middle East.
This approach allows the Putin administration to offset high casualty rates while avoiding a full-scale national mobilization. Between 1,000 and 25,000 Cubans have reportedly been sent to Russia to fight in Ukraine.
Grim Realities of Cuban Mercenaries in Ukraine
Recently, Ukrainian authorities have identified the bodies of 39 deceased Cuban mercenaries. They have committed to further efforts to identify more compatriots and inform families about their fates, according to Maryan Zablotskiy, president of the Ukraine's Pro-Cuba Libre Committee, during a press conference in Miami.
Zablotskiy noted that, beyond those identified, there are "hundreds of deceased Cubans" whose identities remain unknown. Ukraine currently holds four Cuban prisoners, treated humanely, with potential solutions including prisoner exchanges or humanitarian releases if the Cuban government reciprocates by freeing political prisoners.
Since the invasion's start, Russia has only requested the exchange of Russian nationals, leaving foreign mercenaries in a precarious position. Reports from the Cuban Foreign Ministry indicate that Cubans make up the largest foreign contingent within the Russian forces.
During a conference organized by the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance and the Cuban Democratic Directorate, Zablotskiy shared a list with Cubanet documenting 1,028 Cubans recruited by Russia, including the 39 deceased, although he mentioned 41 fatalities in his remarks.
Economic Lures and Deceptive Recruitment Tactics
The appeal of financial gain is a powerful motivator. According to Forbes, Russia offers salaries around $2,000 monthly—a staggering amount compared to the average $20 monthly earnings in Cuba. Yet, behind these financial promises lies a web of deceit and exploitation.
There have been numerous accounts of false civilian job offers in Russia that result in military contracts and frontline deployments without adequate preparation or clear information. Many recruits signed documents in Russian without official translations, leaving them legally vulnerable.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence (HUR) views the use of foreign fighters as a politically low-cost strategy for the Kremlin. The deaths of foreign recruits do not trigger the same social or familial pressures as those of Russian nationals.
A video showing a Cuban mercenary pleading against going to Russia or signing combat contracts in Ukraine adds to the mounting evidence from Kiev and the Cuban diaspora: hundreds of Cubans have died, thousands have been enticed under dubious promises, and families in Cuba remain in the dark about whether their loved ones are alive or dead.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Mercenaries in Ukraine
How many Cuban mercenaries are involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?
It is estimated that between 1,000 and 25,000 Cuban mercenaries have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine.
What motivates Cubans to join as mercenaries in Ukraine?
The primary motivation is economic, as Russia offers salaries around $2,000 per month, which is significantly higher than the average income in Cuba.
What is the Ukrainian government's stance on Cuban mercenaries?
The Ukrainian government is actively identifying deceased Cuban mercenaries and is open to humanitarian solutions for captured Cubans, provided there is reciprocation from the Cuban government regarding political prisoners.