Russia recruits Cubans for the frontlines in Ukraine

Thousands of Cubans are fighting for Russia and Ukraine, and many say they were tricked into going

Ukrainian intelligence believes around 20,000 Cubans signed military contracts with Russia since 2022

Most were promised high-pay Russian passports and construction jobs. Instead, many ended up on the front lines of the largest land war in Europe since World War II

Right now, officials say between 6,000 and 7,000 Cubans are actively fighting

making them the second largest foreign group after North Koreans. At least 200 were killed so far

Some reports put that number even higher. While it may have been under false pretenses, many Cubans did enter Russia legally

No visa required. Recruiters often used WhatsApp or other social media to make contact

The contracts were in Russian though and most Cubans don read Russian Investigators say some fighters trained with Russia 106th Airborne Division Satellite photos leaked documents and social media posts all helped to confirm that

Cuban officials are giving mixed signals on the matter. First, Havana denied involvement

then arrested 17 alleged traffickers before eventually letting them go. President Diaz-C

also publicly wished Putin success in what Russia calls its special military operation

Ukraine accuses the Cuban government of enabling the pipeline. One lawmaker in Ukraine says 40% of Cuban recruits have ties to the military in Havana

and says the government is pocketing bonus money meant for the fighters

In the end, it seems to be a story of desperation. Young Cubans caught between economic collapse at home and false promises abroad

now fighting and dying in a war thousands of miles away. For more of our unbiased straight fact reporting, download the Straight Arrow News app today