Russia, Soviet Union. A Trio of Commemorative Medals for Soviet–Cuban Solidarity

1. (Медаль «Воин-интернационалист) Internationalist Soldier Medal, bronze gilt, obverse displaying the flags of the Soviet Union and Cuba with the inscription “Воин-интернационалист” (Internationalist Soldier), reverse inscribed “Участник защиты кубинской революции 1962” (Participant in the Defence of the Cuban Revolution 1962) above laurel and star motifs, suspended from a pentagonal ribbon of blue with multi-coloured edge stripes, accompanied by its ribbon bar, measuring 32.4 mm wide by 36.7 mm tall inclusive of suspension ring.

2. (Медаль 50 лет первого визита Фиделя Кастро в СССР 1963–2013) 50th Anniversary of Fidel Castro’s First Visit to the USSR Medal, bronze gilt, obverse bearing the bust of Fidel Castro before the Kremlin with anniversary legend, reverse with the emblem and commemorative legend of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, suspended from a pentagonal ribbon of red with two yellow stripes, accompanied by its ribbon bar, measuring 32.5 mm wide by 37.5 mm tall inclusive of suspension ring.

3. (Медаль 50 лет воинско-стратегической операции Анадырь) Medal 50th Anniversary of the Military-Strategic Operation Anadyr, a circular gilt medal with multicolour enamel, the obverse depicting a large red Soviet star partially covering the flags of the USSR and Cuba before a blue globe with a laurel branch to the right and the dates “1962–2012” above, the lower portion inscribed “АНАДЫРЬ” (Anadyr) in blue enamel with the Cuban flag to the left, suspended from a red pentagonal ribbon with white edge stripes and central green and blue stripes; the reverse inscribed “50 лет воинско-стратегической операции ‘Анадырь’” (50 Years of the Military-Strategic Operation Anadyr) above a relief outline of the island of Cuba and a small five-pointed star. The medal measures approximately 32.5 mm wide by 34.4 mm tall inclusive of suspension ring.

All items are in fine to very fine condition.

Footnote:

The Medalla al Soldado Internacionalista "Internationalist Soldier Medal" and its companion commemorative issue represent successive recognitions of Soviet and later Russian participation in Cuba’s defence and solidarity efforts. The original medal was instituted by the USSR to honour personnel connected with Operation Anadyr—the codename for the Soviet Union’s secret deployment of missiles, troops, and support forces to Cuba in 1962, which directly precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis. This clandestine operation involved the transport of tens of thousands of servicemen and military assets from the Soviet Union to Cuba, reflecting the height of Cold War tension and the strategic partnership between Moscow and Havana. In 2013, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation issued a modern commemorative medal marking the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s first official visit to the USSR (1963–2013), reaffirming the enduring historical and ideological ties between both nations. Together, these medals symbolize six decades of military cooperation and mutual solidarity rooted in the defining moments of the Cold War.