National Economy Desk: Russia is forcibly sending Bangladeshis to the Ukraine war after luring them with lucrative civilian job offers and bringing them on business visas. Upon arriving there with visas obtained through invitations from civilian institutions in the country, they are being forced to join the Russian armed forces. The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has found strong evidence of trafficking young people through deception or coercion from not only Bangladesh but also 28 other countries in this manner.
In its report submitted to the 81st session of the UN General Assembly, the Commission stated that Russian authorities have trafficked people in this manner in collusion with active agents and agencies in various countries. Individuals taken under the guise of employment promises were deployed to the front lines in Ukraine and given dangerous assignments. Many of them have been killed or are missing.
Bangladeshis taken on business visas
The Commission stated that it has received copies of business visas of individuals recruited from Bangladesh. These visas indicate that a civilian institution in Russia invited them. However, the cited part of the report does not mention how many people were taken this way from Bangladesh or how many of them have been killed or are missing.
The recruiting syndicate had different arrangements for travel depending on the country and region. While Bangladeshis were given business visas, Kenyan citizens were given tourist visas valid for two weeks to four months, even though they were recruited for work. Citizens of the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Peru were told to travel without visas, using tourism documents for Turkey or Russia.
After agreeing to job offers, individuals were usually pressured to depart within a few days. Agents arranged all travel logistics, including visas, airline tickets, and accommodation. Commissions ranging from $400 to $8,000 USD were charged, depending on the region. This money had to be paid before travel or was promised to be deducted from future salaries.
Lure of jobs, citizenship, and housing
Some victims contacted for jobs after seeing advertisements on social media. Others received direct offers from recruiting agents or companies. They were told they would be given jobs in various civilian professions, including security guards, drivers, mechanics, electricians, construction workers, welders, and technicians.
In some cases, job offers were made in information technology, medicine, sports, or agriculture, based on the individual's skills. One person, who worked as a professional athlete in their home country, told the Commission that a colleague introduced him to an agent, claiming that foreign athletes were being recruited in Russia. He was told that he could only sign the contract after arriving in Russia and liking the offer. But upon arrival, he was handed over to the military.
The job offers included promises of high salaries, Russian citizenship, comfortable housing, and various benefits, including pensions after employment. Some were even shown pictures or catalogs of future residences. The job was presented as a pathway to better opportunities in Russia.
Most interviewees told the Commission that those who were taken under false promises of civilian jobs had no prior military experience. They saw no reason to suspect that the work might involve participation in war. In some cases, even when working for the military was mentioned, they were assured that the duties would be entirely civilian — such as cooking, driving, construction, or security.
Government documents to build trust
According to the report, many of the recruited individuals came from poor families. Some were unemployed, and others were in financial distress. They agreed to these offers in the hope of high income.
The assurances from recruiters, good past experiences of working abroad, and testimonials from others claiming to be doing the same job boosted their confidence. Some recruiting agencies even showed government clearances. Furthermore, some individuals received offers through acquaintances, or even through a politician from their home country with close contacts in Russia.
Some job seekers received official invitation letters from Russian civilian institutions. They also had clearances from their home country's authorities to work for those institutions through specific agencies.
The Commission cited an example of a group of 30 people. They were given job guarantee letters along with their invitation letters, assuring them that they would not be sent to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield or be required to join the Russian army to participate in operations in Ukraine.
However, according to the Commission's information, 17 members of that group were killed on the front lines, and five are missing. One person was able to return home after being injured. The cited part of the report does not specify the nationality of the group members.
Pressure to sign contracts upon arrival
Upon arrival in Russia, job seekers were forced to sign contracts written in Russian with the Russian Ministry of Defense. Many had their phones and passports confiscated. They were shocked to learn they would have to work for the Russian armed forces instead of civilian jobs.
The wife of one such recruited individual told the Commission, ‘They took his passport. Then they just said, sign here, here, and here on the contract. It was all in Russian. He was under immense pressure. He had no other option.’
Later, these individuals were sent to the front lines in Ukraine and given dangerous assignments. Their deaths, disappearances, injuries, or captivity have had a lasting psychological impact on their family members. These families are making continuous efforts to find their loved ones.
Russian authorities' collusion with agents
According to testimonies and documents obtained by the Commission, recruited individuals were taken to Russia via various countries. In some cases, agents traveled with them or met them at transit points. To avoid detection at airports, some were told to first travel by road to a neighboring country and then board a plane from there.
The Commission stated that there was a high degree of collusion between Russian authorities and agents active in various regions of the world. These agents or agencies presented themselves as legitimate or government-approved businesses. They collectively prepared visas and travel documents for the recruited individuals.
The governments of several countries have acknowledged the recruitment of their citizens into the Russian forces and have launched investigations into the recruitment rings. On the other hand, Russian officials have publicly denied allegations of illegal recruitment at various times. However, based on the evidence collected, the Commission concluded that Russian authorities have committed human trafficking and other human rights violations.