Thousands of Cubans join Putin’s war

Russia’s war in Ukraine is drawing fighters from far beyond its borders, with Ukrainian intelligence warning that thousands of Cuban nationals have joined the battlefield.

The presence of Cuban recruits underscores Moscow’s growing reliance on foreign manpower as casualties mount and recruitment at home struggles to keep pace. Ukrainian officials say the numbers already identified may only scratch the surface.

Cuban fighters surface in growing numbers

Ukraine’s military intelligence agency says it has identified more than 1,000 Cuban nationals fighting alongside Russian forces.

According to intelligence officials, the real number could be far higher — potentially between 10,000 and 15,000. The figures were cited by Ukrainian sources speaking through reports carried by Ukrinform and The Washington Post.

For Kyiv, the discovery highlights a widening international dimension to a war now well into its third year.

Claims recruits were misled into contracts

Ukrainian officials say many of the Cuban fighters may not have joined voluntarily.

Andriy Chernyak of Ukraine’s military intelligence said some recruits appear to have been tricked or pressured into signing military contracts. “This is a small number of people who were either misled or coerced,” he said in comments reported by Radio Svoboda.

Kyiv insists the recruitment methods raise serious international concerns, particularly if vulnerable migrants are being targeted.

Propaganda value as well as manpower

Officials also believe Moscow is using foreign fighters to shape the political narrative around the war.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, showcasing international recruits allows the Kremlin to claim that Russia is not isolated and that other nations quietly support its position.

The messaging is aimed both at Russian audiences and at countries across the Global South.

Foreign recruitment network widens

Ukraine estimates that more than 18,000 foreign fighters from at least 48 countries have joined Russia’s ranks since the invasion began.

Most recruits are believed to come from Asia and Africa, though European nationals have also been identified. Among European countries, Serbia is thought to have produced the largest number of volunteers.

Officials caution the true figure could be significantly higher, with only confirmed identities counted in current estimates.

Another country joins Putin’s war as thousands of Cubans sign up to fight in Ukraine