Bloomberg reports that Russia continues to recruit Cuban nationals to fight in Ukraine, despite efforts by the Cuban government to prevent recruitment. According to a source familiar with the matter, volunteers are signing up through informal channels, with the total number of Cubans involved in the fighting likely in the low hundreds.

Desperate for more manpower after losing soldiers in Ukraine, Russia is recruiting foreign mercenaries or tricking foreign citizens into combat roles by promising well-paid non-combat positions. The recruitment campaign is global, targeting economically challenged countries such as Cuba, Nepal and Central Asian nations as part of Russia’s broader effort to bolster its forces.

Bloomberg says Cuba’s severe economic crisis, marked by power outages and food shortages, is driving citizens to seek opportunities abroad. Driven by financial desperation, many Cubans are becoming mercenaries for the Russian military, lured by the promise of generous pay and Russian citizenship in exchange for military service.

Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio said in April:

“We were the ones who found out and made it public that some Cubans who were in Europe were being recruited for the war. We took measures to ensure that those who tried to travel from Cuba also went to the war.”

The recruitment drive comes as Russia tries to replace significant troop losses in Ukraine. Western estimates suggest that Russian casualties since the invasion began in February 2022 could reach 500,000. The British Ministry of Defence reported that Russia has lost 70,000 dead or wounded in the past two months alone.

European Union officials have said the Kremlin has forced thousands of migrants, foreign students and workers to fight alongside Russian troops. Other countries, including India and Nepal, have also expressed concern that their citizens are being recruited or tricked into joining the Russian military.

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