Bangladeshi Workers Die in Russian War

Razan Hossain, 22, survived severe leg injuries in the Russian-Ukrainian war, returning to Bangladesh on crutches after being promised a construction job in Moscow. His story exemplifies a pattern where recruiters from the agency Jabale Noor lured young men from Jhenaidah district with offers of 75,000 rubles monthly, a sum equivalent to roughly $930. Hossain and 30 other men paid approximately 1 million Bangladeshi taka, or $8,000, for visas and travel. The family sold land to cover these costs, hoping to alleviate financial strain caused by Hossain's father's illness.

The group landed in Moscow on May 7, 2026, and was immediately transported to a combat zone. Hossain stated he received an automatic rifle and ammunition despite having no military training. The 30 men were split into three groups and assigned to different Russian units. Hossain, who held legal documents for an electrician helper position, said commanders forced him into combat. He was wounded in a drone strike on June 14. Unit commanders administered minimal first aid and refused hospital transport. Hossain reported that he was beaten when requesting proper treatment for burnt lower body injuries and hearing loss. He returned to Bangladesh in late August after receiving assistance from a sympathetic doctor and the Bangladeshi Embassy in Moscow.

Intelligence estimates suggest Russian forces have suffered more than 1.5 million casualties since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022. A United Nations Human Rights Commission report released last month accused Russia of recruiting nationals from at least 29 countries through deception. The report stated that agents exploited economic vulnerabilities to lure men with false offers of civilian employment. Russian authorities maintain that foreign fighters join voluntarily through formal military contracts and deny allegations of illegal recruitment practices.

Bangladesh, home to 176 million people with one-fifth living in poverty, is a major source of migrant labor. Approximately 5 million Bangladeshis work in the Middle East. The country's Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training issued employment clearances for 7,449 Bangladeshis in Russia between January 1, 2025, and October 27, 2026. A March joint investigation by Fortify Rights and Truth Hounds found at least 104 Bangladeshis were recruited into the Russian military, with at least 34 killed. Journalist Mohammad Jamil Khan noted that workers typically receive six-month work visas. Upon expiration, they must sign military contracts to renew their status or leave the country, often with net financial losses.

BRAC, a Dhaka-based NGO, claims Russian authorities seize passports and phones from migrants. These individuals are then forced to sign voluntary service agreements before deployment. Shariful Islam Hasan, director of BRAC's Migration Program, urged the government to determine how many Bangladeshis remain in Russia and how many are involved in the war. The Bangladeshi Foreign and Interior ministries did not respond to inquiries regarding the number of documented and undocumented citizens in Russia.

Bangladeshi authorities are investigating the situation and confirmed that at least 17 men who arrived in early May were killed on their first day of deployment. Last month, police arrested two men suspected of trafficking at least 30 citizens. Two Kyrgyz-Russian nationals associated with recruiters Jabal-e-Noor, RS International, and TS Overseas Limited remain at large. No charges have been filed against the three recruiting agencies.

Mohammad Asaduzzaman, head of Bangladesh's Special Response Battalion, accused the Russian military of using Bangladeshis as bait to locate enemy positions. He stated that Russian forces adjusted their tactics after a drone attack killed Bangladeshis. Relatives are demanding the repatriation of bodies. Firoza Khatun, whose son Yasin was recruited in September 2024, last spoke to him on March 25, 2025. Colleagues confirmed his death on March 27. Khatun said her son's body remains in Russia, preventing the family from performing religious burial rites.