Frank Darío, a Cuban national captured by Ukrainian forces, has spoken about the exploitation and mistreatment of foreign mercenaries by Russian military forces. Darío and others found were reportedly recruited under the guise of construction work with offers of Russian citizenship and a monthly salary of about $2,700. However, the Cuban nationals found themselves engaged in military operations without prior knowledge or training.
The Ukrainian army released a video of Darío’s interrogation, where he disclosed details of his recruitment and the dire situation he and approximately 35 other Cubans faced upon their arrival in Russia. Despite promises of non-military employment, these recruits were quickly signed onto contracts they could not understand and deployed to conflict zones.
Darío’s narrative confirms long-suspected allegations of mistreatment of mercenaries within the Russian military apparatus. He highlighted the “very negative” attitude of Russian commanders towards Cuban recruits, emphasizing a lack of clear communication and instruction, often leaving the mercenaries without any understanding of their missions. This communication barrier culminated in Darío’s capture during a mission to transport portable solar panels, following a disorienting attack that left him lost and eventually surrendering to Ukrainian forces he initially mistook for Russian.
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