Kathrine Frich
The Russian military is turning to unexpected sources for manpower.
From distant islands to African plains, foreign soldiers are being drawn into a conflict far from home, many for pay, others under political agreements.
Foreign fighters revealed
Ukrainian intelligence has reported that as many as 25,000 Cuban troops are now fighting on Russia’s side.
The claim, confirmed by the U.S. State Department, comes amid renewed attention to Cuba’s ties with Moscow.
The island nation was placed on Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism during Donald Trump’s presidency, tightening financial and travel restrictions.
A shortage of Russians
According to Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Maciej Korowaj, Russia is struggling to rebuild its ranks of contract soldiers and officers.
The country faces a shortage of “ethnic” Russians to fill both internal and reserve units.
To bridge the gap, the Kremlin has opened its doors to recruits from abroad, offering pay and fast-tracked entry into its armed forces.
Korowaj explained that Moscow has granted special permission for Cuban citizens to enlist.
Around 15,000 North Korean troops are reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces, sent under a formal agreement between the two governments.
Soldiers from every continent
Money is the main motive for many foreign fighters.
“Cubans enlisted for the money,” Korowaj said. “As for the Chinese, dozens of people have been confirmed, perhaps several hundred. There were also several hundred or even a thousand people enlisted from African countries. The main, largest reservoir is Central Asia. Tajiks, Uzbeks, and Kazakhs.”
Reports in previous months have also linked recruits from Tanzania, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Russia’s ranks.
These troops, drawn from diverse backgrounds, form a patchwork army fighting in Ukraine’s devastated eastern front.
The cost of manpower
Despite these efforts, the expert warns that Russia faces economic limits.
“Their potential would increase dramatically if they fully mobilize, and they might even be able to defeat Ukraine,” Korowaj said. “But the problem is the money they can offer to the combatants.”
Still, Moscow appears determined to tap every available source of manpower. “Russia is saving itself. They’re already taking advantage of everything they can get. Right now, it’s probably cheaper to send, for example, a Cuban than a Russian,” Korowaj admitted.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, which may have used AI in the preparation
