Russian ‘trafficking network’ recruiting Cubans to fight in Ukraine exposed

The Cuban government has uncovered a Russian scheme that it says is being used to recruit its citizens to fight in the war in Ukraine, according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry.

The ministry said it was working to dismantle a “human trafficking network that operates from Russia” that has attempted to enlist Cuban citizens in both Cuba and Russia to join its forces fighting in Ukraine.

The ministry confirmed that “criminal proceedings have been initiated against those involved” and warned that Cuba’s enemies were “promoting distorted information that seeks to tarnish the country’s image and present it as an accomplice to these actions,” claims it said Cuba categorically denied, adding: “Cuba is not part of the war in Ukraine”.

According to a June report by independent Russian media outlet The Insider, Russian intelligence agencies have recommenced their activities in Cuba, with the Soviet-era Lourdes spy facility outside Havana reopening, having been closed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2001.