Ukraine Releases Names of 39 Cubans Killed Fighting for Russia
Ukraine has published the names of 39 Cuban soldiers who died fighting for Russia, coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day parade. The release was made by a government Telegram channel, Quiero vivir, which tracks military casualties. President Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the parade, raising questions about governments’ accountability in recruiting foreign soldiers. The fatalities illustrate the broad impact of the war, with further investigations suggesting additional, unverified deaths.
On May 8, 2025, Ukraine shared tragic news via a government-operated Telegram channel, detailing the names of 39 Cubans who lost their lives fighting for Russia. This disclosure came just a day before Moscow’s Victory Day parade, which marked the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s defeat. The channel, known as Quiero vivir, stated it aimed to shed light on foreign soldiers’ fates, including those from various countries like Syria and Belarus.
The timing of the announcement raises eyebrows, particularly since Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel was in attendance at the parade, alongside his wife Lis Cuesta. The channel highlighted a critical issue: the recruitment of citizens from various nations by Russia—only to be forgotten when they are killed or captured. Quiero vivir posed rhetorical questions about the responsibility of these leaders to advocate for their people.
This initiative isn’t just a one-off; Quiero vivir, state-sponsored, tracks war-related information including POWs and missing servicemen. They’ve reported over 600 fatalities from the foreign soldier pool, though the true number could be higher – the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense does not possess accurate figures. From early April to May 2025 alone, the channel published data on 5,204 foreign mercenaries, with 1,028 being Cuban, which is a significant portion.
Interestingly, the casualties listed were not exclusively from nations aligned with Russia’s geopolitical strategies. For example, Sri Lanka is among the countries that have suffered losses as well. In this context, elTOQUE has verified some of the names shared, discovering that several had already been reported before, albeit without specific dates.
Take Raibel Palacio Herrera, who was confirmed dead on January 12, 2024, or the young boxer Yansiel Morejón Díaz, who passed away on December 28, 2023. Names like Eduardo Montero Martínez of Cienfuegos were cross-referenced with Russian press reports, supporting their inclusion.
The list includes diverse ages among the deceased, with the oldest being 62-year-old Reinerio Robles. Meanwhile, 23-year-old Juan Raúl Pedroso died on June 21, 2024, demonstrating the youth of many combatants. It’s important to note that this list of 39 names does not capture the totality of Cuban casualties; other deaths are still unconfirmed or not reported by Quiero vivir.
Reports of missing Cuban soldiers have surfaced in recent times, noted by elTOQUE’s audience. However, the outlet could not independently verify all details and emphasizes that this information derives from a third-party compilation. Below is the full list, which also reflects the loss of human life amid ongoing conflicts.
In summary, the release of the names of Cuban soldiers killed fighting for Russia by Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the toll of this conflict. While highlighting international complicity and the bravery of the deceased, the listing opens discussions on the responsibilities of foreign governments. Accurate numbers on military casualties remain elusive, but the situation underlines the grim reality of war, impacting families and nations far and wide.
Original Source: havanatimes.org
