Bangladeshi workers lured to Russia then forced to fight in Ukraine
An Associated Press probe found recruiters promised civilian jobs, took large fees and funneled Bangladeshi migrants into Russian military contracts and front-line service in the Ukraine war.
- Recruiters in Bangladesh promised civilian work in Russia and charged fees up to 1.2 million taka, about $9,800.
- Arriving workers were shown Russian-language papers that many later learned were military contracts.
- Several men told AP they received combat and drone training and were deployed to front-line positions in Ukraine.
- Workers said they were beaten, threatened with jail or death, and coerced into carrying out dangerous tasks.
- AP reviewed travel documents, contracts, medical records and photos that corroborate the accounts of coerced service.
- Bangladeshi police and NGOs uncovered trafficking links and at least one intermediary has been charged, but the total number of victims remains unclear and officials did not respond to requests for comment.