Young Bangladeshi men tricked into fighting for Russia against Ukraine

Families in Bangladesh demand answers after 22-year-old dies serving in Russian military.

The Bangladesh embassy in Moscow reported that about a dozen families have reached out, claiming their sons were deceived into joining the Russian army and are now seeking assistance to bring them home. Photo by Olga Maltseva/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The tragic story of young Bangladeshi men tricked into fighting for Russia in its ongoing war against Ukraine is beginning to surface, revealing a disturbing pattern of deception, desperation, and loss. Following the death of a 22-year-old Bangladeshi, families across the South Asian country are demanding answers and assistance in bringing their sons back home from the battlefield.

Mohammad Akram Hossain, a 26-year-old who recently returned to Bangladesh, said he and his brother-in-law had been seeking honest work when they fell victim to what he described as a recruiting scam. “We had no idea we’d end up on the battlefield,” he said, recounting how the two were promised jobs in Cyprus but were eventually redirected to Russia under the pretense of work visas.

“The recruiting agency told us there were no Cyprus jobs available, only ones in Russia,” he added. “So we agreed to go, not knowing what lay ahead. But we never imagined we would be abandoned like that.”

According to Hossain, once in Russia, they quickly realized that their role would not be employment in a civilian capacity but military service. “There were uniforms, weapons, and drills. We were thrown into a war we knew nothing about,” he said, visibly shaken by his experience.

The issue burst into public view after the confirmed death of Mohammed Yasin Sheikh, a 22-year-old from Bangladesh who was reportedly killed on March 27 while serving in the Russian military. The news has since prompted an avalanche of phone calls and messages to the Bangladeshi embassy in Moscow from families worried about their missing or uncontactable sons.

The embassy confirmed that around a dozen families have reached out for help, all with similar stories—sons lured by promises of overseas employment, only to find themselves in military uniforms in a foreign warzone.

Unemployment in Bangladesh remains a critical issue, especially among young men in rural areas. The economy has struggled in the wake of political unrest and mass protests that led to a change in government last year. Many young Bangladeshis, desperate to support their families, are vulnerable to offers of overseas jobs—even if the terms are unclear or suspicious.

Akram Hossain’s story is not an isolated one. Multiple men have come forward with accounts of deceptive recruiting agencies charging exorbitant fees, forging documents, and even confiscating passports once they land in Russia. Some say they were not allowed to return home, while others recount being pressured into signing contracts in a language they didn’t understand.

“There was no interpreter,” said one young man who requested anonymity. “They just pointed at the contract and said, ‘Sign here.’ We were scared and confused. I thought maybe it was just formal paperwork for work, not military service.”

This dangerous trend raises serious legal and ethical questions about human trafficking, forced labor, and the recruitment of foreign nationals into military conflicts. Experts say such cases could constitute violations of international humanitarian law, especially if the individuals were misled or coerced into participating in armed conflict.

The Bangladeshi government has yet to issue a formal statement on the matter. However, officials from the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment said they are “looking into” the allegations and are working with the foreign ministry to verify the identities and circumstances of those involved.

Meanwhile, families of the victims continue to suffer. Mohammed Yasin Sheikh’s father told local media that the news of his son's death was delivered through social media, not an official government channel. “We saw his picture with a black ribbon on Facebook,” he said, holding back tears. “That’s how we found out.”

The grieving father added that they were still waiting for his son’s body to be returned home for burial. “He left to earn money for the family. We never thought he’d return in a coffin.”

In response to the growing outcry, Bangladeshi diplomats in Moscow have started investigating the involvement of recruitment agencies and are working with Russian authorities to locate and assist any remaining citizens believed to be caught in similar circumstances.

Human rights activists are calling for an immediate crackdown on rogue recruiting agencies in Bangladesh. “This is not just fraud—it’s modern-day slavery,” said one Dhaka-based human rights lawyer. “These young men are being sold into war. We must act before more lives are lost.”

The international community is also beginning to take notice. Analysts say Russia’s use of foreign labor to fill military ranks is part of a broader strategy to bolster its forces without drawing from its own population. “Outsourcing war is a tactic we’ve seen before, but the manipulation of economically vulnerable youth adds a tragic new layer,” said one international conflict researcher.

As for Akram Hossain, he considers himself lucky to be alive. “I’m home, but I’m not the same,” he said. “I saw things I never want to see again. I just want others to know the truth so they don’t fall into the same trap.”

The story of young Bangladeshi men tricked into fighting for Russia is far from over. With new reports emerging, growing pressure on the Bangladeshi government, and families demanding justice, this crisis is set to become a major international issue in the weeks ahead.

What remains is the harrowing question: How many more are still out there—caught between the promises of a better life and the horrors of a war they never signed up for?

Share