Ukraine Names 39 Cubans Killed in Russian Military Conflict

On May 8, 2025, Ukraine released the names of 39 Cuban nationals killed while serving in the Russian military, coinciding with Victory Day celebrations in Moscow. The list was published by the Telegram channel “Quiero Vivir,” which tracks military casualties from several countries involved in the conflict. The names are part of a larger report indicating significant foreign soldier losses, particularly from Cuba.

On May 8, 2025, the Ukrainian government released the names of 39 Cubans who died while serving in the Russian military. This announcement came just a day before Moscow’s grand Victory Day parade, marking the 80th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender during World War II. The names were compiled by a Telegram channel called Quiero Vivir, which translates to “I Want to Live.”

The purpose of this publication appears to be a deliberate strategy to highlight the contributions and sacrifices of foreign fighters in a broader geopolitical context. The list not only included Cubans but also soldiers from various nations, like Syria and Serbia, whose leaders were present at the parade. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel attended alongside his wife, Lis Cuesta, though she has no official role in government.

Quiero Vivir has been tracking foreign military casualties and the fates of missing servicemen, disclosing information that the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense lacks comprehensively. So far, they have recorded over 600 fatalities. However, this number is likely an underestimation of the total losses among foreign soldiers in the ongoing conflict. Notably, they reported that out of 5,204 foreign mercenaries reported dead between April and May 2025, 1,028 were identified as Cuban—nearly 20% of the total figure.

Interestingly, the issue of foreign casualties is not confined to nations aligned with Russia. Countries like Sri Lanka have also seen significant losses. In verifying some names from this revealed list, Cuban media outlet elTOQUE confirmed that many deaths had been previously reported. For instance, Raibel Palacio Herrera was confirmed to have died on January 12, 2024, and young boxer Yansiel Morejón Díaz was killed on December 28, 2023.

The list includes soldiers of varying ages, with the oldest being 62-year-old Reinerio Robles, who died in 2024. Meanwhile, the youngest casualty was 23-year-old Juan Raúl Pedroso, who lost his life on June 21, 2024. Despite the naming of these soldiers, independent evaluations suggest that this list is not exhaustive. Reports indicate there might be more Cuban fatalities that Quiero Vivir has yet to document.

Moreover, some families may choose to remain silent about their losses, complicating the tally of casualties. In the wake of these events, elTOQUE has also reported receiving inquiries regarding missing Cuban soldiers. The list has provided some closure for those affected by the ongoing conflict. However, elTOQUE has stated they could not verify each name on the list entirely or confirm every detail with utmost certainty.

The release of the names of 39 Cuban soldiers killed in the Russian military serves as a stark reminder of the broader implications of international conflicts. As more information unfolds, it underscores the need for transparency and accountability regarding foreign troops’ deployment. The ongoing revelations about casualties highlight the complexity of international alliances and the human toll of warfare.

Original Source: havanatimes.org