Cuba says its citizens were recruited to fight with Russia in Ukraine — but the government is only cracking down now 'because they got caught,' former counterintelligence officer says

• The Cuban government says it's cracking down on efforts to recruit citizens to fight with Russia.
• Criminal proceedings have begun against a network blamed for recruiting mercenaries.
• But Cuba experts say it's likely that Cuba, a longtime Kremlin ally, was involved in these efforts.

The Cuban government says it has begun legal proceedings against a group that recruited Cuban citizens to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine.

But the crackdown is likely just for show, Cuba experts say.