Bangladeshis working in Russia face conscription into Ukraine conflict

Bangladeshis Lured into Russia’s War Under False Pretenses

An investigation by the Associated Press has found that several Bangladeshis were recruited for civilian work in Russia but instead found themselves on the front lines of the nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine. The workers, who were promised jobs as janitors or electricians, were coerced into military service and subjected to harsh treatment.

According to reports from three Bangladeshi men who escaped from Russian military custody, they were told to sign documents that turned out to be military contracts after arriving in Moscow. They were then taken to an army camp for training in drone warfare techniques, medical evacuation procedures, and basic combat skills using heavy weapons.

The workers claimed that they were threatened with violence, imprisonment, or death if they refused to comply with their new roles. One worker, Maksudur Rahman, reported being beaten by Russian soldiers after protesting his initial assignment.

Documents obtained by the AP corroborate the workers’ accounts, including travel papers, military contracts, medical reports, and police records. The documents show that the visas granted to the Bangladeshis were for civilian work, but they were later used for military purposes.

Other South Asian countries, including India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, have also reported cases of citizens being lured into fighting by Russian recruiters promising jobs. Officials in Kenya, South Africa, Jordan, and Iraq have confirmed similar incidents involving citizens from their countries.

The families of some of the missing workers have filed complaints with police in Bangladesh, seeking answers about their loved ones’ whereabouts. The Bangladeshi government and Russian Ministries of Defence and Foreign Affairs have not responded to a list of questions submitted by the AP.

Source: Al Jazeera