Captive Cuban mercenary opens up on war and Ukrainian prisons

Source: Marian Zablotsky/Facebook

In his post on social media, Ukrainian lawmaker Marian Zablotsky revealed the story of a captured Cuban national recruited for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The former musician, who had earned a living entertaining tourists back in Cuba, ended up in a Kyiv prison after being captured during combat in eastern Ukraine.

The 35-year-old man, whose name was not disclosed, said he learned about the mercenary recruitment scheme from a Russian acquaintance who later covered his air travel expenses to Russia. The Cuban man joined a group of fellow countrymen on a plane bound for Moscow.

On arrival the man was offered a quick meal at the airport and whisked to Rostov where he Russian officials made him sign an army contract. According to his account, he had little understanding of what he was getting into.

He soon found himself in combat under the command of Russian officers. The unlucky soldier of fortune described in detail a battle he participated in on the Donetsk front, where his military unit lost 5 Russian soldiers and 4 mercenaries. He bitterly added he knew of no cases where the bodies of mercenaries were sent to Cuba for funerals.

When asked about his motives for joining the Russian army as a mercenary, he explained that his curiosity drove him to seek “firsthand experience”. He also lamented that many Cubans are so desperate to escape their island that they seize any opportunity available and a war in Ukraine appeared to be one.

“It’s better to spend 50 years in prison here than to return to Cuba,” said the captive, adding that he was surprised Ukrainian prisons loffered POWs good meals and conditions.