Ukrainian intelligence unveils list of Cuban mercenaries in Russian army: How Kremlin recruits for war
Photo: Ukrainian intelligence reveals details of recruitment and the role of mercenaries (grec_company_group)
Ukraine's Defense Intelligence has published a list of Cuban mercenaries serving in the Russian army. Military officials revealed schemes used to recruit and involve Cubans in the war against Ukraine, the Defense Intelligence project "I want to live" reports.
According to Ukrainian intelligence, Moscow is actively recruiting foreigners - particularly Cubans, Nepalis, Sri Lankans, and individuals from Central Asian countries.
They make up the backbone of the mercenaries Russia sends to war.
"We have verified the names and personal details of 1,028 Cubans who signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces in 2023–2024," the statement says.
Preliminary estimates suggest the total number of Cuban citizens recruited may reach up to 20,000.
The mercenaries are promised jobs in Russia - at warehouses, in construction, or in security - with salaries of $2,000-2,500 per month, which is dozens of times higher than the average income in Cuba (around $30).
The documents are signed in Russian.
In 2023, 17 people were arrested in Cuba for recruiting for the Russian army. They faced up to 30 years in prison or the death penalty.
However, intelligence reports indicate that the scale of recruitment has only increased. The intelligence service urges Cuban authorities to stop the deployment of their citizens to the war.
Russian mercenaries
Earlier, Russian media identified 51 Chinese soldiers who signed contracts with the occupying army. These individuals traveled to Moscow specifically for that purpose.
The news about Chinese citizens who were fighting alongside Russian forces on the frontlines in Ukraine emerged on April 8, after Ukrainian troops captured two Chinese fighters in the Donetsk region.
