Russia has been actively recruiting Cuban nationals to bolster its forces engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.
The saga began in September and October of 2023 when passport details belonging to more than 200 Cubans purportedly enlisted in the Russian military were leaked online by a pro-Ukrainian platform known as InformNapalm. These details were allegedly obtained through the hacking of emails belonging to a Russian military recruitment officer stationed in Tula, south of Moscow.
In an investigation by the BBC, an examination of social media platforms, particularly Facebook, revealed that 31 individuals among those whose passport details were leaked had profiles indicating ties to Russia or the Russian army.
Some of these individuals had posted pictures of themselves donning Russian military attire or in locations adorned with distinctly Russian features. Furthermore, many of these individuals began posting Russia-related content around August 2023, hinting at the timing of their potential arrival in the country.
The recruitment of foreigners, including Cubans, into the Russian army serves multiple purposes for the Kremlin. Notably, it helps mitigate the significant losses Russia has suffered in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of Russian troops.
By enlisting foreigners, Russia also sidesteps the challenges associated with compelling its own citizens into military service, a tactic that backfired when hundreds of thousands of men left the country during a partial mobilisation in 2022.
The allure of joining the Russian army for Cuban nationals stems from a combination of factors. Firstly, the close historical ties between Russia and Cuba, dating back to the Cold War era, facilitate the recruitment process. Additionally, the promise of lucrative army contracts, offering monthly payments upwards of £1,600 ($2,000), presents a compelling opportunity for Cuban men grappling with the economic hardships plaguing their homeland, where the average monthly salary languishes below £28 ($35).
Moreover, the prospect of attaining Russian citizenship holds significant appeal for many Cuban recruits. Moscow has streamlined the process of obtaining Russian citizenship for foreigners serving in its armed forces, granting them access to visa-free travel to a staggering 117 destinations, far surpassing the limitations imposed by Cuban passports.
Despite the opacity surrounding the exact number of Cubans enlisted in the Russian army, estimates suggest that several hundred may have joined its ranks. Ukrainian diplomatic sources and Cuban officers stationed in Russia have provided varying figures, with some indicating deployments to occupied regions of eastern Ukraine rather than frontline positions.
Reports indicate that many Cuban recruits may have been misled about the nature of the job, with some initially lured under false pretences such as promises of construction work in Russia. Such cases underscore the challenges faced by foreigners who find themselves unwittingly thrust into the midst of conflict zones.
In response to inquiries regarding Cuban nationals’ involvement in the Ukraine conflict, Cuban authorities have issued conflicting statements. While initially acknowledging the arrest of individuals involved in recruitment activities, Cuban officials later expressed tolerance towards citizens choosing to legally engage in operations alongside the Russian army.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have noted a surge in foreign fighters, including Cubans, joining Russian forces, with many of them captured on the battlefield. Despite their participation, these individuals are often ill-equipped for combat, resulting in tragically short life expectancies on the front lines.