Russia recruited up to 15,000 Cubans to fight against Ukraine – Ukrainian intelligence officer

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) believes that Russia has recruited between 10,000 and 15,000 mercenaries from Cuba to fight against Ukraine.

Source: DIU representative Andrii Cherniak; Radio Liberty (Donbas.Realii)

Quote: "We do not regard Cuban mercenaries as some separate military force capable of influencing the battlefield.

In total, this figure may be around 10,000, 12,000 or 15,000. This is a small number of people who, either through deception or by some other means, were made to sign a contract with the Russian Armed Forces and take part in combat operations."

Details: According to Cherniak, Russia is recruiting mercenaries from Cuba in order to maintain its influence over the country.

DIU has confirmed the names of over a thousand Cubans who have signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces.

Journalists note that in early January 2026, recruiters began circulating a list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering into contracts with the Russian Armed Forces from this year onwards.

According to the recruiters, the list contains 36 countries – predominantly African and Arab states and other countries "friendly" to Russia, including China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Türkiye, Cuba, Afghanistan, Iran and Venezuela.

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