Bangladeshis lured to Russia with job promises sent to fight in war

Around 20 of the 30 Bangladeshis who travelled to Russia after being promised construction jobs have reportedly been killed after being handed over to the Russian military and deployed to fight in Ukraine, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) said on Wednesday. The disclosure came as the law enforcement agency arrested two suspected human traffickers.

Despite the reported deaths, the number of Bangladeshi workers travelling to Russia continues to rise. The government has acknowledged that it does not have reliable data on how many Bangladeshis have become involved in the war.

SRB-10 Battalion Commander Additional DIG Md Asaduzzaman revealed the arrests at a press conference in Karwan Bazar in the capital. The suspects were identified as Mizanur Rahman, 55, allegedly the mastermind behind the operation, and Md Abu Taher Lentu, 50.

How the Workers Were Recruited

According to the SRB, the 30 men travelled to Russia on 7 May through three companies: Jabal-e-Noor, RS International and TS Group. Each reportedly paid an average of Tk10 lakh after being promised employment with construction companies.

However, upon arriving in Russia, they were allegedly handed over to the military. Following 21 days of training, they were deployed to the battlefield, the SRB said.

Bangladeshi Worker Migration to Russia on the Rise

Between January and 13 October this year, a total of 3,044 Bangladeshi workers travelled to Russia, taking the cumulative figure since the war began on 24 February 2022 to 9,201.

The highest annual figure was recorded in 2025, when 4,727 workers went to Russia. Officials from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) said the total for this year could surpass that record if the current trend continues.

The government, however, remains unable to determine how many of these workers have joined the fighting. Officials said they had requested information from Russia's Foreign Ministry but had yet to receive a response.

Mizanur Rahman, first secretary at the Bangladesh Embassy in Russia, said it was difficult to establish the exact number of Bangladeshis involved in the conflict.

" We have learned through various sources that around a thousand Bangladeshis may be involved. However, we do not think the actual number is that high," he said.

According to him, Russia has been advertising military recruitment opportunities at railway stations, bus terminals and other public locations since the war began.

Those who agree to enlist are reportedly offered signing bonuses ranging from Tk10 lakh to Tk25 lakh, monthly salaries of Tk2 lakh to Tk4 lakh, and the prospect of Russian citizenship.

"Lured by these incentives, many Bangladeshis travel to Russia for work but eventually become involved in the war," he added.

Bangladeshis living in Russia said many had joined the fighting during the early stages of the conflict, believing that Moscow would secure a swift victory. Although the growing number of casualties has reportedly discouraged some potential recruits, recruitment efforts continue.

Workers Describe Conditions Near the Frontline

Al-Amin, a resident of Patgram in Lalmonirhat, was among the 30 Bangladeshis who travelled to Russia on construction visas in the hope of improving their families' financial circumstances.

Speaking to this correspondent on Wednesday, he said that after completing military training, he had been stationed since 10 June at a camp approximately five kilometres from the frontline. His duties included supplying food and ammunition to Russian soldiers.

"I have not gone to the frontline. But here, survival is a matter of fate," he said. "Ukraine launches drone attacks constantly. Drones strike the rooms where we stay. There are drones above us and landmines below."

Al-Amin said he had initially managed to establish contact with seven members of his group but had subsequently lost contact with the others.

Two men who had gone to the frontline had not returned, and he did not know whether they had been killed or admitted to a hospital. Four others were staying at another camp, while he was living with Roni Sheikh of Gopalganj.

Taslim Molla, whose brother Sourav Molla of Gopalganj was also among the group, said his family had sent him to Russia for employment, not to participate in a war.

"I sent him to work so he could improve our family's financial condition. Now, he is risking his life every day," he said.

Taslim added that the family had repeatedly contacted the relevant ministry and the Bangladesh Embassy but had received no meaningful assistance.

"We have contacted the ministry and the embassy many times, but they are doing nothing to help us," he said.

Government and Migration Experts Disagree

State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur told Stream that individuals could not be forced to participate in a war.

"Those travelling to Russia are doing so knowingly and accepting the conditions. If someone goes willingly, there is little we can do," he said.

However, he stressed that the government did not want Bangladeshi citizens to fight for another country or expose themselves to such risks.

The state minister also suggested that the workers appeared to be travelling to Russia through third countries rather than directly from Bangladesh, limiting the government's ability to intervene.

Migration sector stakeholders disputed this position, arguing that the government could not place the entire responsibility on the workers. They pointed out that overseas employment is subject to official approval and alleged that the authorities had failed to take effective preventive measures or launch public awareness campaigns about the risks.

Migration expert Asif Munier said the government must acknowledge its responsibility for the situation.

"Workers are travelling to Russia with its approval, and they are ending up on the battlefield," he said.

"We are seeing the government trying to evade its own responsibility by blaming the workers. This is unjust and must stop," he added.