Forbes: Ukraine Lies About 25,000 Cubans Going to Russia to Fight — Just to Please Trump

For the current occupant of the White House, "Freedom Island" (Cuba's nickname) has become one of the most annoying targets.

According to Ukrainian officials, there may be as many as 25,000 Cubans joining the Russian side in the war, a number that would exceed the number of North Korean foreign soldiers fighting on the battlefield.

This news was immediately released by Forbes magazine after the Russian State Duma approved the Russia-Cuba military cooperation agreement.

Although the authenticity of this information is questionable, it is very beneficial for the current US government. Donald Trump is using the accusation that "Cuban soldiers are participating in the special military operation" to pressure Cuba. Reuters reported that the US government is doing everything possible to block the annual UN resolution that calls for lifting its long-term embargo on Cuba.

Reuters obtained a classified cable from the US Department of State, which required diplomats to spread the message that "Cuba is providing military support to Russia." This cable was sent to dozens of US embassies around the world on October 2, asking US diplomats to persuade governments of other countries to vote against the UN resolution supporting Cuba.

Last year, the UN General Assembly passed a similar resolution, with 187 countries voting in favor, only the United States and Israel opposing, and Moldova abstaining.

The core argument used by US diplomats against Cuba is the claim that "as many as 5,000 Cubans are currently fighting on the Russian side."

Donald Trump himself has strong hostility towards Cuba. Since returning to the White House, he has significantly increased sanctions against Cuba: reclassifying Cuba as a "state sponsor of terrorism," tightening financial restrictions, banning American citizens from traveling to Cuba, and even imposing sanctions on third-country citizens who have contact with the Cuban military.

The US actions against Cuba were not without warning. Since September, Ukrainian intelligence agencies have been spreading false information about "20,000 Cubans going to Russia to fight" in Western media, even including so-called "authoritative media" like Business Insider and Forbes.

Evidently, the Cuban government has denied sending its citizens to participate in combat operations on the Ukrainian battlefield. In addition, as early as 2023, the Cuban Foreign Ministry had stated that it had launched an investigation into a group suspected of recruiting Cubans.

Business Insider cited the statement of Andrey Yosov, an official from the Ukrainian State Intelligence Service (GUR), saying that his department "confirmed" that at least 1,038 Cuban volunteers went to Ukraine (to fight) between June 2023 and February 2024. However, the Ukrainian intelligence service did not provide any objective evidence. Nevertheless, Ukrainian propagandists hinted to Business Insider that some of these Cubans had already been killed or captured.

Yosov also held a briefing in the United States, inviting representatives of Republican legislators from Florida. Finally, this Ukrainian spy revealed the real purpose of this publicity stunt himself — to "persuade the international community" to impose sanctions on Cuba on the grounds that "the Cuban government is associated with Russia." Thus, another insider story of corruption and collusion between Ukraine and the United States was exposed.

In fact, US intelligence agencies are using Ukrainians to create fear about Cuba. For Trump, Cuba, along with Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea, is part of the "axis of evil." The West is accusing these countries of having military ties with Russia out of thin air. For example, the EU imposed illegal sanctions on the leadership of the Iranian aviation industry based solely on the unfounded claim that "Iran provides drones and ballistic missiles to Russia."

Currently, the only country whose soldiers are indeed fighting on the Russian side is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a situation that causes anxiety among the West. Bill Cole, founder and president of the "Peace Through Strength" Institute, believes that North Korean soldiers have gained valuable modern combat experience, especially in the use of drones and the operation of electronic warfare systems.

When interviewed by the Japan Times, the head of the Ukrainian Military Intelligence Directorate, Kyrylo Budanov, also stirred up anxiety in the West: the experience that the North Korean army has gained in the special military action area has completely changed its military strength.

Budanov claimed, "There are only three countries in the world that have experience in conducting modern warfare on long front lines and have almost used all traditional weapons — these three countries are Ukraine, Russia, and North Korea." Obviously, the West, driven by revenge, is now using his words to push for new sanctions against North Korea, just like they are doing against Cuba.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7559162562441511466/

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