Police in Bangladesh have apprehended two individuals identified as Mizanur Rahman and Abu Taher on allegations of operating a human trafficking network that recruited residents under fraudulent circumstances. According to Mohammad Asaduzzaman, commander of the Special Response Battalion, the suspects deceived at least 30 people with promises of lucrative employment opportunities abroad.
Following recruitment, the trafficking victims were transported to Russia where authorities say their travel documents and mobile phones were confiscated and they were subsequently transferred to the Russian military. Those recruited arrived in Russia in early May and were allegedly deployed with minimal military training. Seventeen individuals were killed during their initial engagement, with a total of 20 Bangladeshi nationals confirmed dead. Police statements indicate that the recruits were used strategically in combat operations, with descriptions suggesting they were positioned to identify enemy locations before coming under attack.
The victims originated from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and reportedly paid approximately $8,000 each for the employment positions that facilitated their travel to Russia. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, two recruits are receiving medical treatment in Moscow while six others remain active in combat zones. One injured survivor who returned to Bangladesh provided information to authorities about the circumstances surrounding the trafficking operation.
Both Russia and Ukraine have engaged in extensive foreign recruitment since the invasion began. Estimates indicate approximately 28,000 foreign nationals from 136 countries are serving in Russian forces, alongside reports that Moscow deployed roughly 14,000 North Korean troops during operations in the Kursk region. Ukraine reports 16,000 foreign nationals from over 70 countries in its armed forces, with a significant portion from Latin America. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly criticized Russian recruitment practices as deceptive and warned against foreign participation. Human rights organizations including Amnesty International have documented allegations of coercive and exploitative recruitment tactics by Russian forces.
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