On September 7, Cuba's Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the arrest of 9 people on charges of being involved in a network of seducing and sending Cuban youth to fight in Ukraine. The leader of the ring relied on two people living in Cuba to lure Cuban citizens to Ukraine, according to an Interior Ministry official.
The move took place after the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on September 4 that the country was trying to neutralize and destroy "a human trafficking ring operating in Russia, specializing in luring Cuban citizens living here and in Cuba." participating in military groups operating in Ukraine".
Cuban officials affirmed that they would take drastic action "against those involved in any form of human trafficking aimed at recruiting Cuban citizens as mercenaries".
Russian newspaper Moscow Times said they found several groups on social networks that specialize in recruiting Cuban men to fight in Ukraine.
In a Facebook group called Cubanos en Moscú (Cubans in Moscow), most of the posts were created by a woman named Elena Shuvalova, advertising military contracts in Russia.
Shuvalova said that Cuban citizens can sign a one-year contract with the Russian military, giving them a monthly income of about $2.100. Participants can also receive Russian citizenship for themselves and their families.
Posts on the Cubanos en Moscú group note that even Cubans with expired or lost passports can apply for service, simply providing a photo and an invitation to enter.
Shuvalova confirmed in an interview with the Moscow Times that she can help foreigners in Russia, including undocumented immigrants, sign contracts with the military.
“If you don't have a passport but have a photo, everything will go smoothly. But even if you don't have a photo, we can still sign a contract," she said, adding that she helped some Cubans go to the Ukrainian battlefield.
“They earn a pretty good income. Everyone wants to immediately rent a luxury apartment. But if needed, in the first few weeks before they get paid, we can help move their families somewhere and provide for them,” Shuvalova said.
When asked if she was from the Russian Ministry of Defense, the woman refused to answer.
A member of the group Cubanos en Moscú, who posted photos wearing a Russian military uniform, said that Shuvalova was his contact to fight in Ukraine.
“Salaries are paid daily without commission and the company will handle visa issues,” this person wrote.
Shuvalova also shared advertisements recruiting foreigners on the Russian social network VKontakte.
Shuvalova's profile on the platform includes multiple photos of the Z symbol, suggesting she is a supporter of the Russian campaign launched in Ukraine. Some other groups she registered with said the woman lived in the Ryazan region, central Russia.
In May, a news agency in the Ryazan region published photos of Cubans fighting in Ukraine. These men expressed hope of being granted Russian citizenship.
Two anonymous Cuban men said they wanted to serve in the Russian army, but were waiting to hear back from military recruiters. “I know they pay very well and it's a great way to make a lot of money fast,” one person said.
“They pay a lot of money and I need the money. Maybe I will stay in Russia later," the other person added.
A Spanish interpreter who works closely with the Cuban community in Russia confirmed that the military does recruit men from the Latin American country.
“A lot of young people from Cuba come straight here to make money. They did not stay in Moscow but signed a contract immediately, then went to fight," the interpreter said, adding that many people then lost contact. “Maybe they were killed.”
In the fall of 2022, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree reducing the minimum term of service under contracts for foreigners from five years to one year. Foreigners who sign service contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense will be granted citizenship in an expedited process.
According to British intelligence, Russia has recently increased its efforts to recruit citizens of neighboring countries to fight in Ukraine.
In late June, online ads appeared in Armenia and Kazakhstan with offers to join the Russian army, analysts said. The “volunteers” were promised more than $6 immediately and a monthly salary of about $5.000.
A senior Russian military officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he was shocked by the number of foreign volunteer battalions fighting in Ukraine.
“There are Cubans, Serbs. They speak Russian very poorly and that's not the only problem. We don't know how to work with them," the officer said. “And they don't come from private military companies. They all signed contracts with the Department of Defense.”
Meanwhile, Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the country is "not part of the conflict in Ukraine" and will act decisively to "combat those involved in any form of human trafficking to recruit workers." Cubans work as mercenaries.
Suspects arrested by Cuban authorities can face up to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment or the death penalty depending on the severity of their acts, including human trafficking, working as mercenaries and hostile acts against the country. another family.
Vu Hoang (Follow Moscow Times)
