Cubans lured to Russian army by high pay and passports

Cubans are being enticed to join the Russian army by high salaries and the promise of Russian passports, according to reports. The number of Cubans recruited to fight in Ukraine is believed to be in the hundreds. The allure of higher salaries and the opportunity to gain Russian citizenship is proving to be a powerful motivator for many Cubans. With the dire economic situation in Cuba, where average monthly wages are about $30, the prospect of earning significantly more in Russia is enticing. Reports suggest that Cubans are being offered up to $5,000 a month to serve in the Russian armed forces. This is a substantial sum compared to the average Cuban salary. Moreover, Russian citizenship is being offered to those who join the army. This is appealing to Cubans as it would grant them access to better healthcare, education, and job opportunities. It would also provide them with the option to live and work in Russia permanently. The exact number of Cubans fighting in Ukraine is not known, but it is believed to be in the hundreds. Many of them are former veterans of the Cuban military, and some have also served as security personnel in Venezuela. Cuba has a strong tradition of military cooperation with Russia. During the Cold War, thousands of Cuban soldiers were deployed to countries aligned with the Soviet Union. In recent years, Cuba has sent military advisers and intelligence officers to Venezuela to support the government of President Nicolas Maduro. It is unclear how Cuban citizens are being recruited for the Russian army. Some reports