Russia has launched a critical evacuation effort for thousands of its citizens currently in Cuba, as the island faces an unprecedented fuel crisis caused by a US-imposed blockade. With the severe shortage of jet fuel disrupting air travel, Russian airlines, including Rossiya and Nordwind Airlines, have been forced to adjust their schedules, operating only return flights from Havana and Varadero to Moscow. The situation, which has left around 5,000 Russian tourists stranded, is further complicated by widespread power outages and essential service disruptions across Cuba. Moscow’s swift response includes not only evacuation flights but also plans to send much-needed humanitarian aid, including oil and petroleum products, to alleviate the island’s energy crisis and ensure the safe return of its citizens.
Russia has made adjustments to its flight schedules, operating only return flights from Cuba as part of a larger evacuation effort for Russian citizens currently visiting the Caribbean island. The move comes in response to severe fuel shortages caused by a US-imposed oil blockade on Cuba, which has impacted the country’s ability to refuel aircraft. As a result, Moscow’s aviation authorities announced that Russian airlines, including Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind Airlines, will limit their operations to return flights from Cuban cities like Havana and Varadero to Moscow. This adjustment ensures that Russian tourists, estimated at around 5,000, are safely repatriated amid the ongoing crisis.
The situation in Cuba has worsened due to a lack of jet fuel, and both Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind Airlines were forced to revise their schedules due to the scarcity. Russia’s federal aviation regulator, Rosaviatsia, confirmed that the affected flights would be dedicated solely to the evacuation of Russian nationals currently in Cuba. The nation’s Ministry of Economic Development has also issued an advisory, urging Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Cuba due to the escalating fuel crisis.
The fuel shortage in Cuba can be traced to a series of geopolitical tensions. The United States has been cutting off oil supplies to Cuba by imposing restrictions on Venezuela, a key oil supplier to the island. This blockade follows the controversial removal of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, an event that has further strained relations between Cuba and the United States. Cuba’s ability to produce only one-third of its fuel requirements has led to widespread power outages across the island, and this has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis.
Russia has long been a supporter of Cuba, both politically and economically, but the current fuel shortage has added a layer of urgency to the relationship. In an effort to address the crisis, Russia’s TASS news agency reported that the Russian embassy in Havana has been working closely with Cuba’s national carrier, Aeroflot, and local aviation authorities to coordinate the evacuation of Russian citizens. Additionally, Moscow is reportedly preparing to send humanitarian aid to Cuba, including oil and petroleum products, to help mitigate the crisis.
The challenges faced by Cuba have been compounded by the broader economic sanctions that have been in place for years. The US’s hostile stance toward Cuba’s socialist government, particularly under former President Donald Trump, led to more direct actions against Cuba. Trump’s administration passed an executive order enabling the imposition of trade tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, further exacerbating the island’s energy shortage.
The impact of this blockade has been devastating for the Cuban people, who are already enduring a prolonged economic downturn. The shortage of fuel has triggered major disruptions across the country, including rolling blackouts, the suspension of essential services such as bus and train operations, and the closure of hotels. Educational institutions have been affected, with schools and universities either reducing operations or shifting to limited schedules. Many public sector workers are now on a four-day work week due to the fuel crisis.
In response to the crisis, the United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed deep concern, warning of a potential “humanitarian collapse” in Cuba if the energy needs of the island are not met. This dire situation has prompted a significant shift in Cuba’s relations with both its traditional allies and the international community, with Russia emerging as one of the key supporters in the midst of the ongoing challenges.
Reports from Cuba indicate that the number of Russian visitors to the island in 2025 reached more than 130,000, making them the third-largest group of tourists, after Canadians and Cubans living abroad. However, in the wake of the fuel shortage, Air Canada, along with Canadian carriers such as Air Transat and WestJet, also suspended flights to Cuba due to similar fuel supply concerns.
The current fuel crisis highlights the vulnerability of Cuba’s tourism sector, which has long relied on international travel to sustain its economy. As the island nation struggles with its worst energy shortages in years, the ripple effects are being felt in every aspect of daily life, from public services to tourism. The looming humanitarian disaster underscores the urgent need for international support and a resolution to the ongoing energy crisis.
The Cuban government’s efforts to cope with the crisis have been complicated by external pressures, particularly from the United States, which has imposed sanctions in an attempt to force policy changes in Cuba. However, the international community, including Russia, continues to provide assistance in hopes of stabilizing the situation and avoiding further damage to the country’s already fragile economy.
As the situation unfolds, Cuba’s future depends heavily on its ability to secure sufficient fuel supplies and find solutions to its energy problems. For the time being, Russia’s evacuation efforts are a critical lifeline for its citizens stranded on the island, but the broader implications for Cuba’s tourism and economy remain uncertain. The combination of political pressure, fuel shortages, and economic instability poses a significant challenge to Cuba’s recovery and long-term viability as a popular tourist destination.
The post Russia’s Bold Action to Save Citizens in Cuba: Evacuation Flights Begin as US Sanctions Leave Island in the Dark, Sparking an Urgent Humanitarian Response to a Growing Crisis appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
