Russia to Airlift Tourists from Cuba as Fuel Crisis Bites

Russia is preparing to fly thousands of its tourists home from Cuba within days, as a severe fuel shortage on the island forces flight cancellations and strains the local tourism sector. The move follows warnings from Cuban authorities that jet fuel supplies are nearly exhausted.

On Wednesday, Russian aviation officials confirmed that two airlines operating routes to the Caribbean island will run outbound-only flights to evacuate travelers before suspending service. Canada’s national airline has also paused flights to Cuba, with other carriers rerouting planes to refuel elsewhere in the region.

An estimated 4,000 Russian tourists are currently in Cuba, many of them government employees. Under strict security rules, Cuba remains one of the few approved foreign destinations for Russian officials. The national tourism board has suspended all future package tours to the island.

In online forums, stranded Russians described growing hardships, including fuel rationing, reduced public transport, and some being relocated to hotels with more reliable power. The crisis escalated after the Trump administration effectively imposed an oil blockade on Cuba last month. The last known delivery arrived from Mexico in early January, but those shipments have since stopped under U.S. pressure. Concurrently, crude oil from Venezuela—Cuba’s primary energy partner—was cut off following the U.S.-led capture of President Nicolás Maduro in January.

The Kremlin described the fuel situation as critical on Monday, accusing the U.S. of trying to 'suffocate' Cuba. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated Moscow’s solidarity, saying Russia is prepared to offer 'all necessary support' alongside other partners. However, the scope of that aid is uncertain. The Kremlin is engaged in delicate talks with the Trump administration, and with its resources concentrated on the war in Ukraine, Moscow appears reluctant to take actions that might provoke Washington directly.