A Cuban dance instructor, who made his living teaching salsa and bachata in northern Russia, was simultaneously orchestrating a sabotage network responsible for arson attacks in four European Union countries throughout 2024, according to a joint investigation by Deutsche Welle (DW) and three other European broadcasters revealed on Monday.
Oemis Romagoza Durruthy, originally from Camagüey and residing in the Russian city of Petrozavodsk for at least seven years, operated under the aliases "Adrian" and "Dios" on social media while publicly serving as an instructor at the Latin dance studio 'Made in Cuba'.
The investigation, which drew on classified court documents, leaked files, and numerous interviews with security officials, uncovered that Romagoza was acting on behalf of the GRU, Russia's military intelligence. Over a span of four months, he allegedly ordered the arson of two construction materials businesses in Poland, a bus garage in the Czech Republic, a recycling facility in Romania, and equipment destined for Ukraine at a company in Lithuania.
International Pursuit and Legal Actions
Lithuanian prosecutors were the only ones to publicly attribute the attacks to the GRU and placed Romagoza on an international wanted list. As reported by Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LTR), in January 2026, Lithuania charged six foreigners with terrorism for attempting to set fire to TVC Solutions, a Šiauliai-based company linked to military supplies for Ukraine.
To enlist operatives, Romagoza posted ads on Telegram and Facebook in groups of Cuban expatriates in Russia and Latin Americans seeking work in Poland or willing to fight in Ukraine. He offered $1,500 plus bonuses for each completed operation, presenting himself in some messages as part of a "special group" with "special missions" in Europe.
The Recruitment and Tactics
One documented recruit was Luis Alfonso Murillo Diosa, a 34-year-old former Colombian soldier looking to join the Ukrainian army. Dios contacted him, organized his travel to Bucharest remotely, and sent him satellite images of a recycling facility he was supposed to photograph and set on fire. Murillo was apprehended before carrying out the attack and was sentenced to six years in prison for attempted sabotage in 2025.
Daniela Richterova, an associate professor of Intelligence Studies at King's College London, described the recruitment targets: "They are often vulnerable individuals who need money and are willing to travel for it, not asking too many questions about the purpose of their tasks."
Context of Russian Espionage
The Kremlin ramped up the use of these so-called "disposable agents" after the EU governments expelled a large number of Russian diplomats suspected of espionage following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Conflict researcher Keir Giles noted that this expulsion "created a gap in Russia's capabilities, and it took time to find this new method of recruiting random individuals to carry out seemingly random attacks."
This case fits into a broader pattern of Cubans working for Russia documented since 2023, which includes the mass recruitment of island citizens to fight on the Ukrainian front. Romagoza represents a different dimension: a Cuban operative coordinating sabotage within European territory from Russian soil.
Romagoza Durruthy married a Russian citizen in 2022 and obtained Russian citizenship that same year. Leaked data suggests he faced financial difficulties in 2023, seeking loans from various lenders. At least nine of his recruits have been apprehended; two are serving sentences ranging from six to eight years for attempted sabotage or terrorism.
European authorities continue to search for him, though he is believed to remain in Russia. In April 2026, the 'Made in Cuba' studio released a video of him teaching a salsa class. Meanwhile, around the same time, Romagoza joined at least two more Facebook groups of Latin Americans looking for work in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cuban Sabotage Network in Europe
Who is Oemis Romagoza Durruthy?
Oemis Romagoza Durruthy is a Cuban national who was living in Russia and allegedly coordinated sabotage attacks in several European countries on behalf of Russian military intelligence.
What kind of attacks did Romagoza coordinate?
Romagoza is accused of orchestrating arson attacks on construction businesses, a bus garage, a recycling facility, and military supply equipment across Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Lithuania.
How did Romagoza recruit his operatives?
He recruited operatives by posting ads on social media platforms like Telegram and Facebook, targeting expatriate communities of Cubans and Latin Americans in Russia and Europe.