Cubans are still arriving in Russia to fight in Ukraine, despite the Cuban government’s efforts to curb recruitment. Russia has been enlisting foreigners from various countries, including Cuba, Nepal, Somalia, and India, to bolster their forces in Ukraine.
Reports indicate that between 462,000 and 728,000 Russian soldiers have been killed, injured, or captured in the invasion of Ukraine by mid-June. Cuban volunteers are joining the Russian armed forces through informal channels, with some enticed by generous payments and the possibility of acquiring Russian citizenship.
Russia’s economic assistance to Cuba, including sending crude oil tankers and naval ships, has strengthened the ties between the two countries. The economic crisis in Cuba, marked by power outages and food shortages, has contributed to the willingness of some Cubans to join the conflict.
Despite the risks and challenges, the recruitment of foreign fighters continues, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.