The Cuban regime denied on Wednesday any official involvement in Russia's war against Ukraine and asserted that it has no military personnel deployed in that country or elsewhere, following Ukraine's accusation of over 1,000 military contracts signed by Cuban citizens with Russian forces.
In a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), Havana described the allegations made by the United States Government as "false accusations" and asserted that they aim to confuse and misinform the international community.
"Cuba is not part of this conflict, nor does it participate with military forces there or in any other country," stated the Foreign Ministry.
The statement comes after the Deputy Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, Volodimir Pavlichenko, reported the recruitment of over 1,000 Cubans by Russian forces.
During a meeting held on Monday in New York, the diplomat stated that Ukrainian intelligence services had identified more than 1,000 military contracts signed by Cuban citizens between 2023 and 2025, and called for an end to recruitment and the release of those who remain detained against their will.
Havana acknowledges judicial processes for mercenarism
Although it rejects any state implication, the MINREX acknowledges that Cuban citizens have participated and are participating in the conflict, but maintains that they do so without the "incentive, support, or consent" of government institutions.
According to the statement, since 2023 the authorities have investigated 17 cases of mercenarism, involving 49 individuals charged.
Of them, 43 were presented before courts in 12 proceedings, with requests for sentences ranging from five to 16 years in prison. Ten oral trials have been held, and two are still pending.
In five other cases involving six defendants, the Prosecutor's Office decided not to pursue criminal charges and ordered the dismissal, as it found that their involvement in the crime had not been established.
The Cuban government assures that it maintains a policy of "zero tolerance" towards mercenarism and attributes most recruitments to operations carried out from abroad.
However, reports about the recruitment of Cubans to fight in the Russian ranks have multiplied in recent years.
In September, Amnesty International documented practices of deception, coercion, and exploitation in the recruitment of foreigners for the Russian Army. Their investigation included testimonies from Cuban citizens and individuals of other nationalities.
Chancellor Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla also rejected the U.S. report on Human Trafficking at the beginning of October, which again mentioned the recruitment of Cubans to fight in Ukraine.
The background of the Cuban military in Venezuela
The MINREX's assertion that Cuba does not deploy military personnel in any country contrasts with what happened in Venezuela earlier this year.
For years, Cuban authorities denied having troops on Venezuelan territory. However, following the U.S. operation on January 3 that ended with the capture of Nicolás Maduro, the regime itself acknowledged the death of 32 Cuban soldiers during the clashes.
The deceased were members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of Interior (MININT), and they were on missions in Venezuela at the request of institutions from that country.
The Cuban government published their identities and military ranks and organized official tributes following the repatriation of their remains.
In the case of Ukraine, Havana maintains that no state agency is involved in recruitment, a position that was already defended by Deputy Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío in June 2025.
The new statement comes just a week before the annual United Nations vote on the U.S. embargo against Cuba, scheduled for October 28, as Washington seeks to diminish international support for the resolution presented by Havana.
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