The report, prepared by Miami Herald, cites Ukrainian intelligence officials who presented their findings during a briefing with Cuban American lawmakers in Washington. Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence, said his agency has confirmed the identities of more than 1,000 Cuban mercenaries already in Russian ranks. He noted that “Cuba is ranked at the very top among the source countries for mercenaries,” adding that intelligence estimates suggest as many as 20,000 Cubans have been recruited. Ukrainian officials also reported that at least 39 Cubans have been killed in the fighting.
According to the report, citizens of Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, and other countries in the region are being drawn into combat on the side of Russian forces. Security services have also confirmed that Moscow and Tehran are attempting to recruit former ISIS fighters—a development that has raised serious alarm among security experts. The recruitment drive is driven by Russia's shortage of manpower. Mercenaries are promised financial rewards and the prospect of Russian citizenship in exchange for service.
One case involved an Iraqi citizen born in 2006 who was detained while attempting to cross illegally. Documents obtained by security services showed that he had signed a contract with Russia's Ministry of Defense to join the armed group “Baghdad.” He had been promised between $3,000 and $8,000 in compensation, along with Russian citizenship after six months of service.