Yailin Yanet Jiménez Alvelaes, sister of Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes, a young Cuban detained by the armed forces of Ukraine while fighting as a mercenary in the Russian army, made a heartfelt public appeal from the island to seek leniency and information about his situation.
The only thing we know about my brother is that he is detained as a mercenary in Ukraine. We don’t know if he is still alive, we don't know anything, said the young woman in statements shared by journalist Mario J. Pentón, who published the video on his YouTube channel along with the testimony of the detainee and an analysis of the case.
Jiménez assured that the family has not received any official information: “No one has reached out to us, no one has given us anything to know about my brother. We are completely desperate.”
He also appealed to the Ukrainian authorities: “to release him, at least deport him to Cuba, that is all we ask, to be given information, to let us speak with him for even five minutes, just to know that he is okay. That they do not mistreat him, that they do not do anything to him, please.”
The young woman explained that her brother, 26 years old and from Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, left the country seeking to improve the family situation. “My brother's name is Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes, he is 26 years old, and my name is Yailin Yanet Jiménez Alvelaes. We are siblings on our mother's side. About six months ago, he went to Russia with the purpose of improving our lives, both his and his family's,” she said.
"Then, after spending five months there, he met some friends who told him about this work contract that was a war contract but not to fight anywhere, rather for building bunkers and those kinds of things. Where he went, he saw that it seemed to fit that work contract because they offered him a large sum of money,” he added.
Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes is one of the three Cuban citizens captured by Ukraine in the context of the war, alongside Turcas Yusbel González and Frank Darío Yarosse. So far, it is unclear what their legal situation will be or if they will face formal charges.
In the background of the case, it was reported that he was recruited on August 1 after arriving in Moscow with a construction contract. According to his own testimony, he was sent to the front after being deceived, and witnessed the deaths of at least ten fellow countrymen before surrendering to the Ukrainian forces.
Additionally, Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) estimates that over 20,000 Cubans have been recruited by Russia, mostly with misleading promises of employment. More than a thousand signed contracts between June 2023 and February 2024, and many ended up on the front lines without military training or informed consent.
Cuban authorities have denied involvement in recruitment, but Ukrainian officials and U.S. congress members claim that the regime has facilitated or overlooked its existence, leading to calls for sanctions to be imposed.
Meanwhile, from Cuba, Ernesto Míchel's family holds onto hope: “All we ask is to know that he is alive, that he is being taken care of, and that, if possible, he is returned home,” his sister said.
Frequently asked questions about Cuban mercenaries in the war in Ukraine
What is the situation of Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes, the Cuban mercenary captured in Ukraine?
Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes is detained by Ukrainian forces while fighting as a mercenary in the Russian army. His sister has requested his release or deportation to Cuba, but Ukrainian authorities have indicated that the only option would be a prisoner exchange with Russia.
How did Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes become a mercenary in Ukraine?
Ernesto Míchel Pérez Alvelaes traveled to Russia with the intention of improving his family's economic situation. Once there, he was deceitfully recruited to participate in the armed conflict, believing that he would be working in the construction of bunkers. However, he was sent to the combat front without being prepared or having given his informed consent.
What does the Cuban government say about the recruitment of Cubans for the war in Ukraine?
The Cuban government denies any responsibility for the recruitment of Cuban citizens to participate as mercenaries in the war between Russia and Ukraine. However, investigations and testimonies suggest that the regime may be facilitating or turning a blind eye to the existence of these recruitment networks.
How many Cubans have been recruited by the Russian army according to estimates?
It is estimated that more than 20,000 Cubans have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine. Most of them were deceived with promises of jobs and economic benefits, only to be sent to the front lines without proper training.
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