54 Bangladeshis killed fighting in Russia since 2022, officials confirm

Bangladesh has confirmed that dozens of its citizens have been killed while fighting for Russian forces over the past three years, raising fresh concerns about deceptive recruitment practices targeting vulnerable workers. Officials say the deceased were among thousands of Bangladeshi nationals who travelled to Russia after being offered what they believed were legitimate job opportunities in construction, manufacturing and other civilian sectors. Upon arrival, many were pressured into military service and deployed to combat zones, according to accounts from families and survivor testimonies. The Bangladeshi government has expressed alarm at the recruitment scheme, which exploits economic hardship and limited employment prospects in the country. Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution when considering employment offers abroad and have appealed to families with missing relatives to report cases to the authorities. The incident underscores broader challenges faced by migrant workers from South Asia, who remain vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation in foreign labour markets. Bangladesh has called for enhanced international cooperation to prevent such recruitment abuses and provide support to affected families.