PHOTO: COURTESY OF FAMILY

MOHAMMAD JAMIL KHAN

More than 100 Bangladeshis have been recruited into Russia’s war against Ukraine, and dozens have been killed on the front lines, according to rights groups that say many of the men were misled, exploited, or financially trapped before ending up in combat.

In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, John Quinley, director of Bangkok-based Fortify Rights, and Oksana Pokalchuk, co-executive director of Ukraine-based Truth Hounds, disclosed the findings of a joint report to be launched today.

The report is based on interviews with 24 people in Bangladesh and Ukraine, including survivors, families of the deceased, and prisoners of war from Sri Lanka and Nepal.

According to the findings, at least 104 Bangladeshis were identified as having been recruited, with at least 34 dead based on Ukrainian information. Researchers, however, said the real toll could be higher and referred to “dozens” killed.

FAMILIES AWAIT

Several relatives told the researchers they have been lobbying Bangladesh’s foreign ministry to bring back the bodies of their loved ones. Many have yet to receive them.

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