Cuban nationals continue to travel to Russia to enlist in the war against Ukraine, drawn by promises of substantial payments and the possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship, according to a report by Bloomberg.
Despite efforts by the Cuban government to halt this recruitment, many Cubans are still making the journey, as confirmed by sources familiar with the matter.
Sources indicate that the Russian military’s lucrative offers are enticing impoverished Cubans to join the war effort. Cuba is currently grappling with severe economic challenges, including power outages and food shortages, which have led to widespread migration and civil unrest.
The economic downturn has created a fertile ground for Russian recruiters to attract volunteers with the promise of financial stability and a pathway to citizenship.
Citizenship for Service
In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing foreign nationals to obtain Russian citizenship in exchange for military service. This policy has reportedly appealed to many Cubans, offering a significant incentive for those seeking a better life amidst Cuba’s economic turmoil.
According to Bloomberg’s source, volunteers are being enlisted through unofficial channels, with the total number of participants likely reaching several hundred. However, precise figures are difficult to ascertain.
The Russian Ministry of Defence did not respond to requests for comments on the matter. Similarly, the Cuban embassy in Washington and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Havana have remained silent on the issue.
Russia has been intensifying its recruitment efforts both domestically and internationally to compensate for the substantial losses incurred during the war in Ukraine.
Since the invasion began in February 2022, Western estimates suggest that Russia has suffered casualties amounting to approximately 500,000 personnel.
The UK Ministry of Defence recently reported that Russia may have lost 70,000 soldiers, either killed or wounded, in the past two months alone.
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