US counts up to 5,000 Cubans fighting alongside Russia in Ukraine - Reuters
Illustrative photo: US accuses Cuba of supporting Russia (Getty Images)
The Trump administration is urging American diplomats to prevent the lifting of the long-standing embargo on Cuba. This comes as more than 5,000 Cubans reportedly fight alongside Russia against Ukraine, reports Reuters.
According to an internal State Department cable, diplomats at the United Nations must state that the Cuban government actively supports Russia's invasion of Ukraine. At least 5,000 Cuban citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces against Ukrainian troops.
"After North Korea, Cuba is the largest contributor of foreign troops to Russia's aggression, with an estimated 1,000-5,000 Cubans fighting in Ukraine," the cable said.
Officials at the Permanent Mission of Cuba to the UN have not commented on the situation or the allegations of its involvement in the war in Ukraine on Russia's side.
US opposition to Cuba: the situation at the UN
Since 1992, the UN has adopted a resolution calling on the US to lift sanctions on Cuba. This year, however, the resolution may not pass for the first time. This coincides with President Donald Trump’s hardline stance, as he strengthened sanctions after returning to office.
He reinstated Cuba on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, tightened restrictions on the country's financial and tourism sectors, and imposed sanctions on citizens of third countries who assist Cubans.
In this context, US diplomats have been ordered to declare at the UN that the resolution falsely accuses the US of problems caused by Cuba's corruption and incompetence. According to the administration, Cuba uses the annual resolution to ridicule the United States.
"The Trump Administration will not remain on the sidelines or support an illegitimate regime that undermines our national security interests in our region," a State Department spokesperson said.
Cubans at war in Ukraine
In May 2025, Ukraine's Defense Intelligence published a list of Cuban mercenaries serving in the Russian army. Officials detailed recruitment schemes and Cuba's involvement in the war against Ukraine.
More than 1,000 names of recruited Cubans are known. The intelligence agency estimates the total number of recruited citizens from the "Island of Freedom" at 20,000. Many Cuban mercenaries have already been eliminated by Ukraine's Defense Forces.
