The U.S. State Department has informed Congress that Cuba has allegedly sent up to 5,000 fighters to support Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine. This revelation indicates that Havana is purportedly providing both diplomatic and political backing to Moscow.
The unclassified report from the State Department notes that while there is no definitive evidence proving that Cuba officially deployed all its fighters, there are significant indications that the Cuban regime has knowingly facilitated this military support.
Moreover, the report highlights that the Cuban government has failed to protect its citizens from being utilized in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. According to media sources, this disclosure comes as the Biden administration intensifies its pressure campaign on Cuba, aiming for a change in leadership in Havana.
The report, sent to key congressional committees on April 8, states, “Cuban citizens have emerged as one of the largest identified groups of foreign fighters supporting Russian military operations in Ukraine.” Estimates vary, but most open-source information suggests that between 1,000 and 5,000 Cuban nationals are currently engaged in combat in Ukraine.
The U.S. State Department has reported that Cuba may have sent thousands of fighters to aid Russia in Ukraine, highlighting the regime's involvement in the conflict. This information comes amid increased pressure from the U.S. on Cuba for leadership change.