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The large-scale invasion of Ukraine, initiated by Russia in February 2022, has not only reconfigured global geopolitics but has also drawn citizens from distant countries, such as Cuba, into a human drama rarely documented.
Recruited with promises of high salaries and a quick path to Russian citizenship, hundreds of Cuban mercenaries have found themselves caught in a brutal war, with no way out and facing an uncertain future.
A recent article from Politico revealed how these men, coming from a country dominated by a totalitarian regime and facing deep economic issues, are victims of a system that exploits them and discards them when they are no longer useful.
The stories gathered reflect not only the harshness of the conflict but also the desperation of a population that, from Cuba, seeks any opportunity to get ahead, even if it means risking their lives.
The unfulfilled promise of the Russian passport
For many Cubans, the promise of obtaining a Russian passport represented a unique opportunity to escape the extreme poverty they face in their country, highlighted the prestigious outlet in its extensive article.
Recruited through intermediaries and social media ads, the candidates believed they were signing contracts for civilian jobs in construction or basic services. However, upon arriving in Russia, they encountered a completely different scenario: their destination was the battlefield in Ukraine.
The Russian passport, which was supposed to be a symbol of freedom and new opportunities, became a noose. Once recruits obtained citizenship, the Kremlin regarded them as ordinary citizens and mobilized them to continue fighting, often beyond the period stipulated in their initial contracts.
David, one of the Cuban recruits interviewed by Politico, described this situation as "blackmail." "They are using citizenship to tie us down," he stated in a video call from an undisclosed location, where he is hiding after fleeing the front.
The reality on the front line: "kill or be killed"
The article further detailed how these recruits, coming from professions such as teachers, carpenters, and waiters, were sent to the front without proper training. Some were severely injured and forced to return to the battlefield before fully healing.
Life on the front not only poses a physical danger but also leads to extreme mental deterioration. David, who suffered from post-traumatic stress and shrapnel wounds, admitted that he faced each day with the heartbreaking decision of "kill or be killed," as he saw no other way to protect his family.
Others, like Manuel, never received the Russian passports that had been promised to them. Upon their arrival in Russia, their Cuban documents were confiscated, leaving them with only military IDs that further bound them to the control of the Russian Ministry of Defense.
With no options for escape and fearful of being punished for desertion, many of these men chose to pray and place their faith in a higher power, hoping for a miracle to rescue them from this hell.
Global recruitment: a desperate strategy
The Kremlin has resorted to recruiting foreigners as a way to fill the massive casualties on the front lines.
According to Politico, fighters from countries such as Nepal, Ghana, Syria, and Sri Lanka have also been brought into the war under similar circumstances. Although they make up a small fraction of the Russian army, their presence is politically exploited by Moscow to strengthen a narrative of "international coalition" against American hegemony.
For Cubans, this strategy evokes the times of the Cold War, when the government of Fidel Castro sent troops to Africa to participate in conflicts on behalf of the Soviet Union.
However, unlike those ideological missions, the Cubans who are currently fighting in Ukraine are primarily doing so for economic reasons, seeking to escape a life of poverty on the island.
The role of Havana: accomplice or indifferent?
In September 2023, when the first reports emerged about Cubans fighting in Ukraine, the Cuban regime labeled these men as "mercenaries" and announced legal actions against the alleged recruiters.
However, critics argue that it is highly unlikely that a regime which meticulously controls the movements of its population has not noticed the massive exodus of young people to Russia.
The relationship between Cuba and Russia also adds a layer of complexity. Havana relies on the Kremlin for essential supplies such as crude oil and wheat, which may explain its ambiguous stance on recruitment.
For further evidence, in May 2024, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel attended a ceremony in Moscow where he expressed his support for Russia's "special military operation", using Putin’s preferred euphemism to refer to the war.
Stories of suffering and death
The human drama behind these stories is devastating. Many recruits have died in combat, leaving their families in Cuba with unanswered questions and immeasurable grief.
In some cases, their bodies have not even been repatriated, and the families have had to bear the costs of funerals in Russia. Others simply disappear, leaving their loved ones in an emotional limbo.
A notable case is that of Denis Frank Pacheco Rubio, a Cuban recruit who died in an assault in Siversk, north of Donetsk, four months after his contract was supposed to have ended. His family has yet to receive any news about his remains, facing a void that seems endless.
"An exit from here"
For the few who have managed to flee the front, the journey is not easy either. Without documents and fearful of both Russian and Cuban reprisals, they live in hiding, searching for a way to escape.
Jorge, another recruit interviewed by Politico, expressed that hearing stories of successful escapes gives him hope, but he is also aware of the risks: those who are captured face severe punishments, ranging from desertion to being sent to high-risk positions as a form of punishment.
In the midst of this scenario, the news of each escape is a small ray of hope for those who remain trapped. But for most, the only option seems to be to wait and pray that one day they can return as free men.
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