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Bangladeshi workers were lured to Russia with false promises of civilian employment, only to be forced into combat roles in Ukraine, according to an Associated Press investigation. The deception has left multiple families searching for missing loved ones and survivors traumatized by their experiences on the frontlines.
The AP documented a systematic pattern of deception through interviews with three men who managed to escape Russia—Maksudur Rahman, Mohan Miajee and Jehangir Alam—and the families of three others who remain missing. Their accounts reveal how labor recruiters targeted impoverished Bangladeshi communities with promises of lucrative opportunities.
“They told us we would work as cooks, cleaners, and do laundry at military bases,” said one of the survivors, who requested his full name be withheld. “They said we could even get Russian residency after some time.”
Many victims sold property or took out substantial loans to pay processing fees demanded by recruiters, believing they would quickly recover these costs through their promised salaries. Instead, they found themselves in a nightmare scenario far from home.
Upon arrival in Russia, the men were coerced into signing contracts written in Russian—a language none of them understood. They were subsequently taken to military camps and subjected to basic training, including drone tactics. When they questioned this unexpected development, agents assured them it was merely standard procedure in a country at war.
The reality became clear when they were deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. There, under threat of imprisonment, beatings, or execution, they were forced to transport supplies to combat positions, evacuate wounded soldiers, and collect dead bodies. Some reported being used as human shields.
“A Russian commander told me I had been sold,” one survivor recounted. “He said if I didn’t do what they ordered, I would be jailed or killed.”
While the exact number of Bangladeshis currently fighting in Russia remains unconfirmed, the three escaped men suggested to AP that the figure could be in the hundreds. A Bangladeshi police investigator indicated that approximately 40 nationals may have already lost their lives in the conflict.
The investigation also revealed cases of Bangladeshis who voluntarily enlisted but under false pretenses. One electrical worker, dissatisfied with his position at a gas-processing facility in Russia’s Far East, willingly signed up for military service after a recruiter promised he would not see combat. The recruiter claimed the man’s technical experience made him ideal for electronic warfare or drone units.
Upon arrival at a Russian army camp in Ukraine, he discovered these specialized positions did not exist. When he refused to comply with combat assignments, he faced torture and beatings before being forced to collect dead bodies from the battlefield.
Bangladeshi authorities have launched investigations into the trafficking networks allegedly responsible for recruiting their citizens to fight in Ukraine. The probe began when a Bangladeshi man returned from Russia in January 2025, claiming he had been deceived into joining the military. This initial case led authorities to uncover nine more people reporting similar experiences.
Investigators have identified a Bangladeshi national with Russian citizenship living in Moscow as a key figure in the network and have filed charges against him. The men interviewed by AP were sent to Russia through a local recruitment agency called SP Global, which has since ceased operations.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, neither the Russian Defense Ministry nor the Bangladeshi government responded to AP’s inquiries about the situation.
This case highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers from developing nations and the exploitation that can occur during armed conflicts. International labor and human rights organizations have previously documented similar cases of foreign nationals being recruited under false pretenses to serve in various capacities in conflict zones.
For the survivors who managed to escape, the psychological trauma remains profound. Many continue to fear reprisals against their families while struggling to repay debts incurred to finance what they believed would be legitimate employment opportunities abroad.
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9 Comments
This is a shocking and heartbreaking case of labor exploitation. Bangladeshi workers being forced into combat roles after being promised civilian jobs is a horrific betrayal. I commend the AP for bringing this to light and hope the perpetrators are held accountable.
Preying on the economic vulnerability of Bangladeshi workers to trick them into fighting in Ukraine is an abhorrent abuse. This systematic pattern of deception highlighted in the AP investigation is absolutely appalling. I hope the survivors receive the support they need.
The tactics used to lure these Bangladeshi workers are truly despicable. Preying on economic desperation to force them into combat roles is a heinous violation of human rights. This case highlights the need for stronger protections for migrant workers worldwide.
Absolutely. The recruiters’ lies about civilian jobs and the promise of Russian residency are especially cruel. I hope the authorities can hold them accountable and prevent this from happening to other vulnerable communities.
This is a harrowing story of deception and exploitation. The fact that these Bangladeshi workers were tricked into fighting in Ukraine is a tragic abuse of power. I’m glad the AP was able to document this and give a voice to the survivors.
The fact that these Bangladeshi workers were deceived into fighting in Ukraine is truly disturbing. This report sheds light on the human rights violations and abuses that can occur in the global labor market. Stronger protections for migrant workers are clearly needed.
Agreed. The tactics used by the recruiters, like the false promises of residency, are particularly cruel. I hope the survivors are able to access support and that this case leads to reforms to prevent such exploitation in the future.
Tricking vulnerable Bangladeshi workers into fighting in Ukraine is an appalling abuse. This report shines a light on the deception and exploitation these men faced, torn from their families under false pretenses. I hope the survivors find justice and the missing are located.
The details in this report are deeply disturbing. Bangladeshi workers being forced into combat roles in Ukraine after being lured with false promises is an egregious violation of human rights. I hope the families of the missing men are able to locate their loved ones.