20 B'deshis killed in Russia-Ukraine war after being lured by jobs

At least 20 Bangladeshis have been killed after being taken to Russia on the promise of jobs and sent to the battlefield, while two suspected ringleaders have been arrested, the Special Rapid Battalion (SRB) said on Wednesday.

According to the force, 30 Bangladeshis travelled to Russia through three organisations named Jabale Noor, SR and TS. Instead of receiving regular jobs, they were allegedly sent to the battlefield after 21 days of training. Of them, 20 have died, two are receiving treatment in critical condition at a hospital in Moscow, and six remain on the battlefield.

Many Bangladeshis have allegedly fallen victim to fake agents and human trafficking networks that promise high-paying jobs in Russia but send recruits to the war zone.

After arriving in Russia, the workers were allegedly forced to sign military contracts instead of being given regular employment. They were then sent to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war without adequate military training.

Mohammad Asaduzzaman, commander of SRB-10, said the 30 Bangladeshis had travelled to Russia through the three organisations but had not received the jobs they had been promised. After 21 days of training, they were sent to the battlefield, where 20 were killed, he added.

The SRB said six Bangladeshis trapped by the trafficking network were still fighting on the battlefield, while two others were receiving treatment in critical condition at a hospital in Moscow.

According to the force, the victims repeatedly pleaded to be brought back home, but the human traffickers ignored their requests.

The alleged ringleader, Mizan, and another person have been arrested in connection with the incident, the SRB said.

sks