Cuba hits back at US claims about its role in war in Ukraine
Cuba responds to new US accusations over its involvement in the war in Ukraine (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Cuba has officially denied US accusations of involvement in the war in Ukraine, stating that such claims are baseless and aimed at discrediting the country, according to a statement released by the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Cuban government described Washington’s allegations of the country’s alleged participation in military operations in Ukraine as false and slanderous. Havana emphasized that these accusations first appeared in 2023 in certain media outlets without any evidence and, in Cuba’s view, serve purely political purposes.
Cuban authorities assured that the country is not involved in any armed conflict and has not sent military personnel to Ukraine or any other country. The government added that it has no verified information about Cuban citizens who may have independently joined armed formations on either side of the conflict, stressing that none of such cases are connected to official Cuban institutions.
Zero-tolerance policy and criminal cases
In line with national legislation and international obligations, Cuba maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward mercenarism, human trafficking, and the participation of its citizens in armed conflicts abroad. Such acts are classified as serious crimes and are subject to severe penalties.
After reports emerged in 2023 about the possible recruitment of Cubans to take part in combat operations, the Cuban authorities took steps to stop it. Criminal cases were opened, and court proceedings were held.
Court rulings and Havana’s position
From 2023 to 2025, Cuban courts reviewed nine cases related to charges of mercenarism, involving a total of 40 defendants. Eight of the cases proceeded to trial, and in five of them, the court handed down guilty verdicts against 26 individuals, sentencing them to prison terms ranging from five to fourteen years. Three cases are still under consideration.
Authorities clarified that the recruitment of Cubans was carried out by foreign organizations unrelated to any official Cuban institutions. Most of the cases involved citizens who were outside of Cuba at the time.
Havana emphasized that the US has not presented any evidence to substantiate its accusations and described the situation as a new wave of disinformation.
Russia has been increasing its presence of foreign fighters on the front lines, increasingly relying on Cuban mercenaries. According to Ukrainian intelligence, their number could reach 25,000, making Cubans the largest foreign group fighting on Russia’s side and shifting the balance of power in the ongoing conflict.
Additionally, the administration of Donald Trump reportedly instructed US diplomats to push for maintaining the embargo against Cuba, citing the alleged participation of more than 5,000 Cubans fighting alongside Russia against Ukraine.
