Independent Cuban media claims Russia has deployed around 20,000 Cubans to fight alongside its forces in Ukraine.
Cuban Involvement in Ukraine War
Independent Cuban news outlet 14ymedio, citing Ukrainian intelligence, reported that Russia has sent approximately 20,000 Cubans to fight in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. The report references a statement by Andriy Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine’s military intelligence, who stated that Ukrainian intelligence has identified over 1,000 names of Cubans fighting for Russia, including 40 confirmed fatalities. One identified casualty, Giovani Gomez Basulto, reportedly worked for a state-owned mining company in Cuba before being deployed.
Cuban authorities deny recruiting citizens to fight in Ukraine, despite the claims.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Deep in Russia
In a retaliatory move, Ukrainian drones conducted overnight attacks on Russian targets, including a mineral fertilizer plant in the Krasnodar region. Residents of Belorechensk reported hearing explosions, while floating drones targeted the port of Tuapse on the Black Sea. This follows previous strikes on Novorossiysk and Tuapse, with at least one drone breaching defenses and hitting an oil terminal.
Ukraine’s increasing strikes on Russian infrastructure are a response to relentless Russian missile and drone attacks.
