UN probe finds Bangladeshis trafficked into Russian army

Bangladeshi nationals are among citizens of 29 countries allegedly trafficked into the Russian armed forces through deception or coercion after being lured by promises of civilian jobs, according to a report by the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

The report, dated October 26 and prepared for submission to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, found evidence of fraudulent and coercive recruitment involving nationals from 29 of the 48 countries examined.

Bangladesh was explicitly named alongside India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya and Uzbekistan. The Commission found evidence of coordination between Russian authorities and recruitment agents in different countries to enlist foreign nationals through deceptive job offers and coercive practices.

The report said the victims were men aged between 18 and 60, mostly from economically vulnerable and marginalised communities with limited educational opportunities. However, it did not specify how many Bangladeshis had been recruited, killed, injured or reported missing.

The Commission referred to Bangladeshi nationals in connection with business visas issued for travel to Russia. Copies of visas collected by the Commission indicated that a Russian civilian company had invited the recruits.

Recruitment agents reportedly advertised lucrative civilian jobs through social media and other channels, offering positions as security guards, drivers, construction workers, mechanics, electricians, factory workers and cleaners. Some were also promised Russian citizenship and other benefits.

The agents presented themselves as legitimate or government-approved organisations and arranged visas, air tickets and other travel formalities. But after arriving in Russia, many recruits were forced to sign military contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defence. Written in Russian, the contracts were often not understood by the recruits. Some had their passports and mobile phones confiscated and their freedom of movement restricted.

The Commission cited the account of a Bangladeshi recruit's wife, who said her husband's passport was taken and he was pressured to sign documents written entirely in Russian, leaving him with virtually no choice.

The men were subsequently deployed to front-line positions in Ukraine and assigned dangerous duties. Many were killed, injured, captured or reported missing, the report said.