Lester Mora Pichardo, a 37-year-old Cuban and father of three from Santa Clara, has been reported killed in Ukraine, according to family members and América Tevé. Mora Pichardo’s death adds to the growing list of Cubans who have found themselves on the front lines of the Ukraine conflict under dubious circumstances. Allegedly lured to Russia with the promise of construction employment, Mora Pichardo and others have instead been thrust into military action after minimal training.
Reports indicate that he was part of a group of around 40 Cubans who were promised one-year contracts for construction work. However, upon their arrival in Moscow, they received a brief period of preparation before being sent to fight. This transition from civilian to combatant was marred by confusion and a lack of military knowledge, compounded by language barriers. In his final communication with relatives, Mora Pichardo expressed his unease, stating that he was stationed in a bunker within a military concentration camp, devoid of any understanding of military tactics.
The news of Mora Pichardo’s death emerged after he reportedly recorded the trench he was sheltering in, mere hours before an Ukrainian aerial attack.
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