US State Department: Cubans are fighting on the side of Russia in Ukraine

Cuba is the second "supplier" of fighters after North Korea, American diplomats say

1 - 5 thousand Cuban citizens are participating in the war in Ukraine on the side of Russia, and the Havana authorities are actively supporting the Russian invasion. American diplomats say this, trying to convince other countries not to vote for the UN General Assembly resolution calling on the United States to lift the long-term trade embargo against Cuba. The vote is expected on Wednesday.

As Reuters reports, citing a State Department cable obtained by the agency, Cuba's alleged support for the war in Ukraine became one of Washington's key arguments against the adoption of the resolution.

“After North Korea, Cuba is the largest supplier of foreign fighters participating in Russian aggression,” the document says.

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Recruitment of Cuban mercenaries and Ukrainian intelligence data

Unlike North Korea, which officially sent military personnel to Russia, the Cubans, according to the State Department, are fighting as mercenaries. Press Secretary of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Andrey Yusov previously reported that the total number of Cubans in the ranks of the Russian army could reach 20 thousand, of which about 40 died.

“The Cuban regime has failed to protect its own citizens from becoming pawns in the Russian-Ukrainian war,” a US State Department spokesman said.

Washington's policy and the UN position regarding Cuba

Resolutions calling for the lifting of the embargo against Cuba have been adopted by the General Assembly almost every year since 1992. They are advisory in nature. Last year, 187 countries voted for the document, only the United States and Israel voted against it.

After Donald Trump took office as president, Washington's policy towards Havana became tougher: Cuba was again included in the list of state sponsors of terrorism.

Previously, “Layout” talked about 660 Kazakhstanis fighting on the side of Russia. 78 of them died. From the signing of the contract to the death of the mercenary, an average of 130 days pass.

Photo: US Embassy in Havana. September 17, 2025. REUTERS/Norlys Perez

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