Europarliament condemns the recruitment of Cubans in Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Parliament condemned this week the recruitment and deployment of Cubans in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

“Strongly condemns the recruitment and deployment of Cuban soldiers, as well as the participation of North Korean troops,” states section 17 of the resolution “Human cost of Russia's war against Ukraine and urgent need to end Russian aggression: situation of civilians illegally detained and prisoners of war and persistence of bombing civilians”.

The document, approved last Wednesday, condemned "Russia's unprovoked, illegal, and unjustified act of aggression against Ukraine" and urged Putin's government to "immediately cease all military activities in Ukraine."

The section dedicated to Cuban mercenaries was praised by Cuban-American Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, who thanked "the members of the European Union who pushed for and succeeded in the approval of a strong and vigorous resolution against the murderous regime of Cuba."

"Finally exposing the reality of a continuous pattern of violations, not only of human rights on the island but also the danger this regime poses to the world and to the national security of the United States," the Republican added.

In June, the Cuban government stated that it bears no responsibility for the recruitment of Cuban citizens to participate as mercenaries in the war between Russia and Ukraine, despite the reports and testimonies that have shaken families both inside and outside the island.

In an interview with the American program Democracy Now!, the Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío stated that Havana “has made public and denounced” the phenomenon of Cubans being enlisted as soldiers in that armed conflict.

"It was even made public that we had taken action, we had spoken with governments related to the issue," said the official, downplaying the accusations that have circulated in international media such as BBC or El País.

Fernández de Cossío stated that Cuban citizens have been identified fighting on both sides of the conflict. “Cubans have been detected on the side of Russia, and cubans have also been detected on the side of Ukraine.”

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, it was recruitment networks in Europe that attracted citizens from various countries, including Cubans, to send them to the front lines.

“Our laws prohibit a citizen under our jurisdiction from participating in the wars of other countries. It is something that is punished by law in Cuba,” he stated.

Testimonies that contradict the regime

However, multiple investigations and testimonies from Cubans involved in the conflict paint a very different picture. A report from the Ukrainian media Schemes revealed the presence of several hundred Cubans fighting for the Russian army, many of whom are part of the 106th Airborne Division, active in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, such as that of Bakhmut. Cuban fighters were even identified with insignias from the Wagner group and promoting war propaganda on social media.

One of the most heartbreaking cases was that of young Cubans Andorf Velázquez and Alex Vega, who are only 19 years old, and reported being deceived by false promises of construction jobs, ultimately ending up recruited at a Russian military base.

“Everything has been a scam. We are scared”, they cried in a video shared by AmericaTeVé, in which they also reported being beaten, tortured, and stripped of their documents.

Both suffer from delicate medical conditions: one has generalized arthritis, the other has only one kidney. “They beat us while we were naked... they told us the Americans had sent us”, they reported. Their testimonies raised alarms about the vulnerability of young Cubans to recruitment networks that appear to be legal.

Also, a Russian official revealed to the Moscow Times that many of these recruits come directly from Cuba, sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense, and are sent to the front lines. “There were only Cubans and Serbs there,” he confessed.

Through social media, individuals like Elena Shuvalova have promoted contracts with the Russian army, offering salaries, immigration benefits, and housing, without requiring valid passports.

According to Shuvalova, several Cubans have been "successfully" sent to war. Her social media profile shows connections to pro-Russian propaganda and posts offering "help" to enlist regardless of immigration status.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Recruitment of Cubans in the Russia-Ukrainian War