A report by Schemes, the investigative unit of the Ukrainian news service RFE/RL, has revealed additional information about the presence of Cuban mercenaries in the war in Ukraine, highlighting their involvement in some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.
They have discovered the presence of several hundred Cuban citizens among the ranks of the Russian army in just one week of investigation, and they estimate that this number will continue to grow.
"In reality, Cubans are very involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine,” stated in an interview with journalist Rolando Nápoles for America Tevé, one of the Ukrainian journalists who has been conducting the investigation.
Many Cubans are connected to the 106th Airborne Division of Russia, based in Tula.
That Division actively participated in the Battle of Bakhmut, one of the bloodiest of the war, which culminated in the occupation of that city by Vladimir Putin's army in May 2023.
An interesting and chilling detail is that many Cubans belong to the Russian airborne forces, which are the units that are at the forefront of combat, meaning they are the first to be sent to attack or go on the offensive.
The report did not specify the number of Cubans killed in the war and only mentioned one of these mercenaries, identified on social media as "Chiki," 41 years old, who reportedly died in combat in Bakhmut.
However, in recent months various reports have referred to the increasing number of Cubans who have died in combat.
The mentioned source revealed that Cubans have joined the Russian army sometimes for money, but also for ideological reasons inspired by Russian propaganda. However, it acknowledges that in some cases there are Cubans who went to war deceived.
According to the research, several of these fighters recruited by Moscow have been identified on social media expressing their support for militarism and the Kremlin's ideology.
Researchers from Schemes discovered that many profiles of Cuban mercenaries on Russian social networks were created in 2024, coinciding with their arrival in Moscow for training before being sent to the front lines.
One of the highlighted cases in the report is that of "Rafael," who has been photographed wearing patches associated with the Wagner mercenary group.
Additionally, he appeared on a television program writing the phrase "Hasta la vista, baby" on military projectiles, in a clear display of support for the Russian war effort.
Dr. Orlando Gutiérrez Boronat, national secretary of the Assembly of the Cuban Resistance, has denounced the involvement of at least 5,000 members of the Cuban regime in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to Gutiérrez Boronat, Schemes' report provides key evidence of these mercenaries' involvement in the conflict.
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