The Russian Consulate General in Havana has officially informed Yaritza González Turcas of the supposed death of her brother, Yusbel González Turcas. However, Yusbel, a Cuban national, is actually alive and has been held captive by Ukrainian forces since the summer of 2025.
The Ukrainian voluntary surrender program "I Want to Live" (Хочу Жить) exposed this misinformation by sharing the letter sent by Russian authorities to the Cuban man's family on social media.
Official Notification and Misleading Information
The letter, dated July 14 and signed by Alexei Nekrasov, the acting Consul General of Russia in Havana, was registered under number 9. It states, "We regret to inform you that we have received notice of your brother, Yusbel González Turcas's death during the Special Military Operation in Ukraine. Please accept our deepest condolences."
Born on July 31, 1973, González Turcas was enlisted by the Russian military and deployed to the Kupyansk front in eastern Ukraine. There, he was used as an "opener," a term used by Russian forces for foreign soldiers sent first to provoke enemy fire and reveal their positions.
Inhumane Military Tactics and Evidence of Life
These brutal tactics, referred to as "meat assault" or "meat grinder," involve sending waves of soldiers into near-suicidal frontal attacks, sacrificing many to exhaust the enemy. "I Want to Live" released a video as evidence of the captive mercenary's survival, where he states, "My name is Yusbel González Turcas. I was born on July 31, 1973, I am from Cuba, and I am currently at prisoner of war center number one."
According to Ukrainian authorities and hacked Russian records, less than 30 days passed from González Turcas's recruitment to his capture, highlighting the minimal training Russia provides to foreign mercenaries before deploying them into battle.
Family's Struggle and Diplomatic Silence
Despite Yusbel's over-a-year-long captivity, Russia's Ministry of Defense continues to list him as deceased. During this period, the Cuban prisoner has granted multiple interviews and has been visited by International Committee of the Red Cross representatives, who have also delivered letters from his family.
Yaritza González Turcas has attempted to negotiate her brother's inclusion in prisoner exchange lists with Russian authorities, only to face repeated rejections.
"Trying to have her brother included in exchange lists only led to evasive responses, as the Russian Ministry of Defense simply considered him dead," reported "I Want to Live."
The Ukrainian program directly addressed the Russian embassy in Havana, stating, "We are releasing this video with González specifically for the Russian embassy staff in Havana. You are responsible for those you recruited and sent to their deaths."
Institutional Negligence and Lack of Transparency
This case is part of a broader pattern of neglect, where Moscow administratively erases captured foreign mercenaries to avoid negotiating their exchange, while the Cuban regime remains silent, failing to inform families formally.
To date, Havana has not released any official figures regarding Cubans recruited, deceased, or imprisoned in Ukraine.
"I Want to Live" has identified at least 1,028 Cubans within the Russian military ranks, with 93 confirmed deaths by January 2026.
Other documented instances of abandonment include Jonathan Lázaro González Cosme, Yoan Viondi Mendoza, and José Antonio Ramón Garcias (?). Their families in Cuba have also received no response from either Cuban or Russian authorities.
Data from the Ukrainian project indicates that 42% of foreign mercenaries recruited by Russia die within the first four months after signing the contract—an alarming statistic reflecting the systematic use of these men as cannon fodder on the front lines.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Mercenaries in Ukraine
What happened to Yusbel González Turcas in Ukraine?
Yusbel González Turcas, a Cuban national, was recruited by the Russian military and sent to Ukraine, where he was captured and has been held in captivity since the summer of 2025. Despite being alive, the Russian government officially declared him dead.
How is the Cuban government responding to the situation of its nationals in Ukraine?
The Cuban government has not released any official statements or figures regarding the recruitment, death, or capture of Cuban nationals in Ukraine, maintaining a silence on the matter.
What is the purpose of the "I Want to Live" program?
The "I Want to Live" program is a Ukrainian initiative aimed at encouraging voluntary surrender and exposing misinformation, such as the false declarations of death made by Russian authorities regarding prisoners like Yusbel González Turcas.