Cuban Soldiers in Ukraine Conflict

SOURCE english.elpais.com
Cuban soldiers were recruited to fight in Ukraine, under false pretenses, with promises of high pay and Russian passports. The Cuban government is suspected of facilitating the deployment of mercenaries. Many Cuban recruits have died in the war. The Cuban government denied involvement initially but later released detainees linked to a trafficking network. Ukrainian intelligence estimates 20,000 Cubans mobilized, with a high mortality rate and broken promises by the Russians.

Key Points

  • Recruits were promised high pay and Russian passports, but ended up in the combat zone
  • Cuban government suspected of facilitating the deployment of mercenaries
  • Ukrainian intelligence estimates 20,000 Cuban soldiers mobilized with high mortality rate
  • Cuban government initially denied involvement but later released detainees linked to the trafficking network

Cons

  • Recruits were deceived about the nature of the work they were signing up for
  • High mortality rate among Cuban soldiers in the conflict
  • Broken promises by the Russian army regarding contracts and release after a year