Dozens of men from rural Bangladesh, hoping for stable jobs in Russia, have been thrust into the brutal frontlines of Russia's war against Ukraine, according to multiple reports emerging this week. Agents preyed on poverty-stricken communities last year, promising civilian roles like cooking or cleaning at Russian military bases, complete with residency benefits. Desperate workers, including individuals like Maksudur Rahman, paid thousands to middlemen and flew to Moscow expecting honest work.

Upon arrival, recruits faced a shocking reality. Unable to read Russian contracts they were coerced into signing, they unknowingly enlisted as soldiers. A Russian officer reportedly told one group through a translation app: "Your agent sold you to us." Basic training followed—drone operation, combat tactics, and frontline duties—before deployment near Ukraine's border.

Survivors recount harrowing experiences: scouting enemy lines, retrieving bodies under fire, and enduring beatings for refusal. Threats of prison or execution kept them in line. Rahman, after seven months, became one of few to escape, but at least 10 others remain unaccounted for, per Bangladesh's BRAC aid organization.

This trafficking scheme mirrors cases involving Nepali, Indian, and African migrants, fueled by Russia's urgent need for troops in its protracted conflict. Bangladesh authorities have stayed silent, while families back home protest job agents in vain. Experts warn of rising risks for Global South migrants amid ongoing wars and economic pressures. Stricter international oversight on recruitment and contract transparency could prevent repeats. Families plead for awareness: verify every detail before signing on.