Zelenski Warns of Russia's New Mobilization Strategy: Increased Recruitment of Foreign Nationals

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenski issued a stark warning on Monday, indicating that Russia has effectively commenced an additional mobilization and is aiming to boost the enlistment of foreign nationals into its ranks. This alert arises as the Cuban regime remains silent on what actions, if any, it has taken to prevent Cubans from joining the fight for Moscow.

In a direct message shared on social media, Zelenski stated, "The Russians have already begun an additional mobilization. They are increasing the number of recruits through various methods. They also plan to expand foreign enlistment. It's crucial for the governments of countries from which Russia is recruiting to counteract this. We will inform each relevant government."

This warning carries particular significance for Cuba. Just five days earlier, Zelenski had directly addressed the Cuban regime at the UN General Assembly, highlighting that Russia is employing citizens from 47 countries in the conflict and sending a clear message to Havana: "Do not let Putin drag you into this war."

The Cuban government has persistently ignored this call, and Havana has not disclosed any specific measures to halt the flow of Cubans joining Russian ranks.

Documented Recruitment of Cuban Citizens

The recruitment of Cuban citizens for the war in Ukraine has been documented since at least 2024. Networks operate primarily outside the island, targeting Cuban expatriates in Russia with promises of employment, high wages, or Russian citizenship, before sending them to the front lines.

In September 2026, Amnesty International condemned these practices as human trafficking, citing cases of Cubans deceived, coerced, or recruited directly from Russian prisons with the promise of avoiding deportation.

Evidence of Cuban Mercenaries

A dossier from the Ukrainian project "I Want to Live" identified 1,028 Cubans in May 2025, with verifiable personal data, documents, and enlistment dates in the Russian army. By August of this year, Russia had even granted citizenship to one of these Cuban mercenaries.

As Moscow expands its recruitment network, the cost of the invasion continues to rise. In September, Ukraine intensified its long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, hitting refineries in Moscow, Rostov, Samara, Perm, and Krasnodar.

The September 20 attack on Moscow's Gazpromneft refinery halted oil processing, with repairs expected to take weeks, according to industry sources.

Military Collaboration and Escalation

In his Monday address, Zelenski also disclosed new information about military cooperation between Russia and North Korea: over 8,000 North Korean soldiers are currently in Russian territory, with another 10,000 selected for training. As compensation, Moscow has transferred technology to Pyongyang, including setting up a production line for Shahed-type attack drones in North Korea.

That same Monday, Russia launched over 120 drones against Ukraine—more than 90 of them reactive—resulting in at least nine deaths across various regions and over eighty injuries in Kiev alone, where a projectile struck the National Academy of Sciences building.

Ukrainian intelligence estimates that Russia plans to mobilize up to 600,000 people between 2026 and 2027 to sustain the war effort, suggesting that the pressure on governments with citizens in Russian ranks—Cuba included—will only intensify in the coming weeks.