Bangladeshi Workers Deceived into Ukraine War Service by Russian Recruiters
An extensive Associated Press investigation has uncovered a disturbing pattern of deception, where Bangladeshi workers were systematically lured to Russia under the false pretence of securing civilian employment, only to be forcibly conscripted into military service in the ongoing Ukraine war. The report, based on interviews with escapees and families of the missing, documents a trafficking operation that preys on vulnerable individuals from impoverished communities.
False Promises and Financial Entrapment
In late 2024, labour agents operating within Bangladesh approached men with enticing offers of lucrative work opportunities in Russia. These recruiters promised positions as cooks, cleaners, and launderers within Russian army garrisons, with the additional prospect of obtaining residency over time. Many of the targeted individuals, desperate for economic improvement, took out substantial loans or sold personal property to cover the processing fees demanded by these agents, fully expecting to recoup their investments through promised salaries.
The accounts of three men who managed to escape Russia—Maksudur Rahman, Mohan Miajee, and Jehangir Alam—along with interviews with families of three others who remain missing, have been substantiated by documentary evidence. This evidence includes visas, military contracts, and army dog tags, painting a clear picture of the deception.
Coercion and Deployment to the Front Lines
Upon arrival in Russia, the men reported being coerced into signing military contracts written entirely in Russian, a language they did not comprehend. Believing this to be standard administrative procedure for their anticipated civilian roles, they complied. Shortly thereafter, they were transported to an army camp and subjected to basic military training, which included instruction in drone tactics.
When the men expressed confusion and alarm, contacting their families and questioning the local agents, they were told the training was a standard requirement for a country at war. As it became evident they would be deployed to active combat zones, objections were met with severe threats. One man recounted being told by a Russian commander that he had effectively been sold. Faced with threats of imprisonment, beatings, and death, the men felt utterly trapped.
They were forced into perilous duties, including transporting supplies to front-line positions, evacuating the wounded, and collecting dead bodies. Some reported being used as human shields in the conflict. The exact number of Bangladeshi men currently fighting remains unclear, but the escapees indicated the figure could be in the hundreds. A Bangladeshi police investigator suggested about 40 may have lost their lives in the war.
Voluntary Enlistment Under False Pretences
The investigation also revealed cases of Bangladeshis who voluntarily enlisted but were profoundly misled about the nature of their service. One man, disillusioned with his job as an electrician in Russia's remote Far East, willingly signed up for military service after an online recruiter promised he would not see combat. The recruiter claimed his electrical experience made him ideal for roles in electronic warfare or drone units.
However, upon arrival at a Russian army camp in Ukraine, he was informed such positions did not exist. For refusing to comply with assigned tasks, he faced threats, beatings, and torture, ultimately being forced to collect dead bodies.
Bangladeshi Authorities Investigate Trafficking Networks
Bangladeshi investigators are now actively probing trafficking networks allegedly operated by local intermediaries with ties to the Russian government. Authorities believe these networks are responsible for recruiting Bangladeshi men to fight in Ukraine. The investigation was triggered in January 2025 by the return of a Bangladeshi man from Russia who claimed he was tricked into joining the military, leading to the uncovering of nine more trafficking victims.
A key figure in the network, a Bangladeshi national with Russian citizenship residing in Moscow, has been charged. While little is known about the specific network responsible for the men interviewed by AP, it was revealed they were sent to Russia through a now-defunct local recruitment agency called SP Global. The company, which did not respond to AP's inquiries, ceased operations in 2025.
Neither the Russian Defense Ministry nor the Bangladeshi government responded to a detailed list of questions from the Associated Press regarding these allegations. The report underscores a grave exploitation of migrant workers, transforming hopes for a better life into a nightmare of forced military service on a foreign battlefield.
