Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alimov disclosed in an interview with the pro-government newspaper Izvestia that Russia is grappling with logistical hurdles and delays in sending humanitarian aid to Cuba via the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). Since June, only two shipments of sunflower oil, totaling slightly over 750 tons, have reached the island.
The statement, also reported by Kremlin-aligned outlets Lenta.ru and RIA Novosti, has not been independently verified.
"We are indeed facing logistical challenges this time, with delays in delivering aid to Cuba through the UN's WFP. However, Russia has fulfilled its humanitarian duty to the friendly Cuban people," Alimov stated, assuring that Moscow would "unfailingly" continue supporting Havana through this channel.
This admission comes at a politically sensitive time, as the United Nations General Assembly is scheduled to vote on October 28 on the annual resolution calling for the end of the U.S. embargo against Cuba. Both Moscow and Havana are seeking to maximize international support ahead of this vote.
The 750 tons of oil represent a mere fraction of the actual needs of the Cuban population. Independent surveys from 2026 indicate that 33.9% of Cuban households reported at least one member going to bed hungry.
Russia's acknowledgment of these challenges stands in stark contrast to the over $1 billion in investments that Moscow and Havana announced in April 2026. The Russian embassy in Havana informed Izvestia that ongoing joint projects continue to operate but cautioned that Russian businesses need to "carefully study" the new conditions for conducting business in Cuba, a note of caution that contrasts with the rhetoric of a strategic alliance.
In the energy sector, the situation is equally bleak. Cuban Ambassador to Moscow, Enrique Orta González, recently admitted that the tanker Anatoli Kolodkin was the only Russian vessel carrying crude that arrived in Cuba in 2026, with its cargo of 100,000 tons of Urals crude barely alleviating power outages for about two weeks.
A second announced shipment of crude from Russia never materialized. The tanker Universal diverted towards the South Atlantic in May 2026, and its arrival on the island was never confirmed.
Besides the oil, Russia has also provided Cuba with three ambulances and a Lada Iskra vehicle for medical centers in Havana, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba, as part of the maternal and child care program.
The contrast with Chinese aid is striking: Beijing delivered $80 million in emergency assistance in 2026, including at least 60,000 tons of rice and several batches of photovoltaic solar systems, encompassing a 200-megawatt project.
In this context, Russia's promise to continue its support "without fail" seems more like a diplomatic statement aimed at the upcoming UN vote rather than a real commitment backed by logistical capabilities.
In 2025, the resolution on the embargo received 165 votes in favor, compared to 187 in 2024, reflecting an erosion of international support that both Moscow and Havana are attempting to counter with gestures of solidarity that, according to Russian data, are belated and insufficient.
Challenges and Aid Efforts Between Russia and Cuba
What logistical challenges is Russia facing in delivering aid to Cuba?
Russia is experiencing logistical issues and delays in sending humanitarian aid to Cuba through the UN's World Food Program, resulting in only two shipments of sunflower oil since June.
How does Russian aid to Cuba compare with Chinese aid?
While Russia has provided limited aid, including oil and medical vehicles, China delivered $80 million in emergency assistance, including rice and solar systems, highlighting a significant disparity in aid levels.