Press reports this week indicated that a number of Cubans signed contracts with the Russian Armed Forces in Ryazan to join the army, presumably to fight in Ukraine, in order to obtain Russian citizenship after a year of service.
According to this information, first disclosed by the Telegram channel, Ryazinformburo, on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, several Cuban citizens were brought to the “formal” army. The Cubans have allegedly expressed their “desire” to participate in Russian “special operations” in the neighboring country.
“It is worth noting that later residents of Cuba will be able to obtain citizenship of the Russian Federation,” he told the Russian portal.
The extension of the Miami channel AmericaeTeVe, indicates that new recruits go through a selection process, which includes a medical check, and then are assigned to different military standards according to “specialization”.
LIVING IN THE RUSSIAN ARMY?
The number of Cubans enlisted in the Russian army has not been made official, although since the beginning of this year more than 450 foreigners have been sent to the front. The North American Channel adds that in addition to the incentive for citizens, the Cubans received a signing payment of 5,000 dollars, and during the period of service they would earn at least 2,500 dollars a month.
On May 16, Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, announced that he would expressly grant Russian citizenship to barbarians who were conscripted into the Russian army during the war against Ukraine. A measure that benefits their direct relatives, since it is extendable to the parents, spouses and children of foreigners who contract for one year with the armed forces.
Over the years, thousands of Cubans have settled in that country because it is one of the few countries that do not require Cuban national visas. The main idea is to enter Russia and continue on to European countries such as Spain and Italy, but many leave in an attempt to settle in Russia without documents.
