Cuban authorities uncover human trafficking network recruiting Cubans living in Russia to fight in Ukraine

The Cuban authorities have uncovered a human trafficking network recruiting Cuban citizens living in Russia to fight in Ukraine on the side of Russia, the Cuban Foreign Ministry reports.

According to the ministry, the criminal network operates in Russia “in order to incorporate Cuban citizens living there and even some living in Cuba, into the military forces that participate in military operations in Ukraine.” The ministry added that “attempts of this nature have been neutralized and criminal proceedings have been initiated against those involved in these activities.”

Reuters noted that the Ryazanskie Vedomosti newspaper reported in May that several Cuban citizens signed contracts with the Russian armed forces and were sent to Ukraine:

Today at the enlistment center, several Cuban citizens were sent to serve in the Russian army under contract. According to them, the Cubans want to help our country fulfil the tasks of the special military operation, and several of them want to become citizens of Russia in the future.

It’s not clear if the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s statement is connected to this information. The Russian authorities have not yet commented on the Cuban Foreign Ministry’s statement.