Russian passports, high salaries offered to Cubans for military service

Russia is recruiting Cuban men trying to escape the island’s deepening economic crisis to join its army, promising them high salaries and passports, the BBC reported on May 4.

In a startling revelation backed up by leaked documents and various media outlets, Cubans are being offered $2,000 a month to enlist, a significant sum compared to Cuba’s average monthly salary of less than $25.

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The possibility of obtaining Russian citizenship also appeals to many Cubans. A Russian passport provides visa-free access to 117 countries, a substantial increase from the 61 destinations available to Cuban passport holders.

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Amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Moscow has simplified the process for foreigners to acquire Russian citizenship after military service. Reports indicate that some Cubans obtained Russian passports just months after enlisting.

Travel between Cuba and Russia is made easier by their historic alliance dating back to the Cold War, allowing Cubans visa-free entry and direct flights to Moscow, making the recruiting process smoother.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine