By 
02-02-2025
Mariam Phutkaradze
Bangladesh Campaign,
Global Human Rights Defence.
As Russia’s aggression in Ukraine persists, human trafficking is escalating as a tool for recruiting foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis, in the war. Young, vulnerable individuals are unlawfully trapped in the ongoing conflict by networks of human traffickers who employ online misinformation tactics, threats and manipulation. Bangladeshi nationals are forcibly recruited and subjected to enduring severe human rights violations in the ongoing Ukrainian crisis.
Human trafficking networks have already targeted several other countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan. The victims are promised high-salary employment opportunities, Russian residency and other benefits and instead are conscripted into the army bases. To sustain its military force, Russia increasingly relies on foreign soldiers willingly joining the army based on economic incentives. However, others are lured, threatened and forcibly recruited by the informal intermediary groups. There also has been reported evidence of severe injuries and fatalities among the recruited individuals from these nations. Identifying the informal networks and implementing necessary diplomatic interventions from the targeted countries remains a complex challenge, hindering the repatriation of citizens caught in an ongoing crisis. Some effective steps were taken by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation to identify and arrest the responsible agencies, such as Faisal Khan, the owner of Baba Vlogs. However, the efforts from other countries remain limited due to failed diplomatic negotiations and internal political issues. Extending the recruitment channels to Bangladeshi nationals exacerbates the crisis and raises critical questions about Russia’s increasing involvement and responsibility in ongoing human rights violations. Exploitation, human trafficking and forcible recruitment of foreign nationals violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as well as the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) conventions protecting individuals against deceptive recruitment, human trafficking and modern slavery.
With the crisis unfolding, there is an urgent need for more media attention and diplomatic interventions to protect Bangladeshi nationals. Human trafficking and deceptive recruitment require a coordinated international response to identify and address the global trafficking networks as well as hold the involved parties accountable. The Bangladeshi government should prioritise the protection of its citizens abroad and utilise diplomatic efforts to ensure their repatriation and peaceful return home, upholding the principles of international law.
Sources and further readings:
Aditya Gowdara Shivamurthy, Rajoli Siddharth Jayaprakash, ‘Understanding the South Asian fighters phenomenon in the Russia-Ukraine war’ Observer Research Foundation, April 17, 2024 <https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/understanding-the-south-asian-fighters-phenomenon-in-the-russia-ukraine-war> Accessed 2 February, 2025
Arafatul Islam, ‘Please rescue us,’ Bangladeshi migrants stuck in Ukraine urge’ InfoMigrants, March 4, 2022 <https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/38965/please-rescue-us-bangladeshi-migrants-stuck-in-ukraine-urge> Accessed 2 February, 2025
Anak Raj Sapkota, ‘Russia-Ukraine War: Russia’s use of South Asian fighters in the Ukraine war’ Friedrich Naumann Foundation, August 18, 2024 <https://www.freiheit.org/south-asia/russias-use-south-asian-fighters-ukraine-war> Accessed 2 February, 2025
Sou-Jie van Brunnersum, ‘Duped into becoming “cannon fodder”?: How some South Asians are fighting for Russia in Ukraine’ INFOMIGRANTS, 3 May 2024 <https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/56838/duped-into-becoming-cannon-fodder-how-some-south-asians-are-fighting-for-russia-in-ukraine> Accessed 2 February, 2025.
Mamun Abdullah, ‘Russia-Ukraine war: Bangladesh govt begins measures to repatriate citizens’ Dhaka Tribune, 27 February 2022 <https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/287588/russia-ukraine-war-bangladesh-govt-begins> Accessed on 2 February, 2025
Sakibur Rahman, ‘Bangladeshi Citizens Trapped in Russia’s War Against Ukraine. Our friend Sohan—a bright and lively individual—has become an unfortunate victim of human trafficking’ [Status update] Facebook, February 1 2025
<https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=660435176655722&id=100080677357535&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=3HUKeUSKCMAzBHS1#> Accessed on 2 February, 2025
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