Movies seem to indicate captured Cuban nationals who had been preventing alongside Russia in Ukraine

[ad_1] In its push to carry captured territory in Ukraine , Russia has turned to nations like North Korea for added manpower. Now, it seems additional support can also be coming from Cuban mercenaries.

Movies obtained by CBS Information seem to indicate Cuban nationals captured by Ukraine on the entrance strains with Russia. Ukrainian officers estimate as many as 20,000 Cubans have been recruited by Russia to struggle as mercenaries.

"Cubans are in search of any solution to get out," Florida GOP Rep. Mario Diaz Balart mentioned. "They're recruiting Cubans from across the island with these false guarantees."

Ukrainian officers, who shared copies of dozens of passports belonging to Cubans they consider to be mercenaries, say Cubans are being supplied one-year contracts with the promise of a $2,000 month-to-month wage. The common month-to-month wage in Cuba is about 6,500 Cuban pesos, based on authorities knowledge, which is equal to lower than $20. The common age of the mercenaries is 35. Lots of these recruited reside in poverty and are in determined want of cash.

One household of a Cuban nationwide who went to struggle in Russia instructed CBS Information their cherished one has been lacking since November, they usually have not acquired any cash.

Orlando Gutierrez Boronat, a Cuban-American activist and a member of the Meeting of the Cuban Resistance, a human rights group devoted to a free Cuba, traveled to Ukraine final yr and spoke to one of many Cuban nationals. Boronat mentioned the prisoner he spoke to was instructed he would do development, serving to rebuild cities destroyed within the warfare.

"When he received to Russia, he came upon he and dozens of different Cubans had been being assigned roles within the entrance strains," Boronat mentioned.

Officers in Ukraine have compiled a listing of 39 Cubans who've been killed, however they consider the loss of life toll to be a lot increased.

"At present, we've got three Cuban prisoners of warfare. Two of them have been captured within the final two months," Maryan Zablotskyy, a member of Ukraine's parliament, mentioned.

"We predict that, finally, the variety of Cuban troops will hit at the least 25,000, turning into the No. 1 contingent of international troops in Russia," Zablotskyy mentioned, which might overtake North Korea.