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The
statement from Cuba's foreign ministry gave few details, but
noted the trafficking ring was operating both within the
Caribbean island nation, thousands of miles from Moscow, and in
Russia.
"The Ministry of the Interior...is working on the neutralization
and dismantling of a human trafficking network that operates
from Russia to incorporate Cuban citizens living there, and even
some from Cuba, into the military forces participating in war
operations in Ukraine," the Cuban government statement said.
The Russian government has not commented on the allegations.
Russia last year announced a plan to boost the size of its armed
forces by more than 30% to 1.5 million combat personnel, a lofty
goal made harder by its heavy but of yet undisclosed casualties
in the war.
In late May, a Russia newspaper in Ryazan city reported that
several Cuban citizens had signed contracts with Russia's armed
forces and had been shipped to Ukraine in return for Russian
citizenship.
It was not immediately clear if the Cuban foreign ministry
statement was associated with the Ryazan report.
But Cuba's government said it had already begun prosecuting
cases in which its citizens had been coerced into fighting in
Ukraine.
"Attempts of this nature have been neutralized and criminal
proceedings have been initiated against people involved in these
activities," the Monday statement read.
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood and Marc Frank in Havana; Editing by
Michael Perry)
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