10 Bangladeshis smuggled to Russia, forced into war

In a harrowing tale of deception and exploitation, 10 young men from Bangladesh were lured to Russia with promises of better livelihoods but ended up on the battlefield after being trafficked through illicit channels. Their ordeal highlights the dangers posed by unscrupulous brokers operating within the country.

The deceptive journey

These individuals initially travelled to Saudi Arabia under the pretext of working in flower garden maintenance. However, they were later transported to Russia, where they underwent 15 days of nominal training before being thrust into combat zones under the Russian military. Two Bangladeshi travel agencies—Dreamhome Travels and Tamanna Travel Agency—are implicated in this ruthless fraud.

Families of the victims recount how their loved ones were deceived into paying large sums of money for what they believed were legitimate job opportunities. When contacted during their "training" in Russia, representatives of the agencies claimed that such training was mandatory due to wartime conditions. Later, when the men were sent to the frontlines, the agencies described it as mere "rehearsal."

Trapped in conflict zones

Among the 10 Bangladeshis currently stranded in Russia are Arman Mondal of Rajbari, Rahmat Ali of Naogaon, Anisur Rahman of Keraniganj, Akram Hossain of Narayanganj, Tuhin, Sohan, and Mubarak of Narsingdi, and Kabir of Natore, who tragically lost his life on January 26 during active combat. Survivors have been dispersed across various locations, with no clear information about their exact whereabouts.

Arman Mondal, injured in a mine explosion while fighting in Ukraine, is receiving treatment at a military hospital in Rostov-on-Don. In an emotional appeal to Jago News, he recounted his ordeal: "We were brought here under false pretenses. After 15 days of inadequate training, we were thrown into war. We know nothing about warfare—it’s terrifying. Last week, my leg was severely damaged in a mine blast. If I’m sent back to the battlefield again, I won’t survive. Please, take me home!"

Desperate appeals for help

The families of the victims are pleading for government intervention to rescue their kin. Arman's mother, Fahima Begum, expressed her anguish: "I only have one son. Money means nothing to me now. I just want him back home safely. I urge the government to bring my child back."

Mitul Hossain, whose nephew Arman is among the survivors, echoed similar sentiments: "When we learned that Arman had been trained for combat, we reached out to the agency. They justified it as mandatory wartime training. Later, they admitted he was sent to fight. He was injured in a mine explosion and hospitalized. If the government acts swiftly, there’s still hope to bring him back. We implore the authorities to liaise with the Russian government via our embassy and secure the return of all those trapped there."

Rahmat Ali of Naogaon sent a chilling voice recording to his family via WhatsApp, which was shared with Jago News. In the message, Rahmat pleads for help: "I am in grave danger. Tomorrow, I’ll be sent back to war. If I go, I will die. We don’t know anything about warfare—we’ve been thrown into battle after just 15 days of training. My uncle Kabir died in my arms during our last deployment. Save me; I can’t endure this again."

Mizanur Rahman, the nephew of deceased Kabir and missing Rahmat Ali, revealed the extent of the financial burden placed on families. "Our family sold jewellery and land to pay the travel agency, Dreamhome Travels, after they threatened not to send them to Russia or bring them back to Bangladesh," he said. "Now that my uncle is dead, we desperately seek to repatriate his body and bring Rahmat home. Unfortunately, the agency’s office is locked, and their phone lines are disconnected. Our only hope lies with the government."

Government response

Efforts to reach Abul Hasan, chairman of Dreamhome Travels, and representatives of Tamanna Travel Agency proved futile, as their contact numbers remained inactive. 

An official from the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment informed Jago News that the ministry has been alerted to the situation through the Russian Foreign Ministry via Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We have instructed intelligence agencies to investigate the travel agencies involved," the official stated. "Once we receive their report, appropriate action will be taken to ensure the safety and repatriation of our citizens."

A cry for action

This tragic incident underscores the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers and the urgent need for stricter oversight of recruitment agencies. As families grieve and anxiously await word of their loved ones, they call upon the government to intervene decisively and collaborate with international bodies to secure the safe return of these individuals.

For many, the journey to Russia began as a quest for improved fortunes but ended in unimaginable peril. With no recourse against the brokers who orchestrated this scheme, the families now place their hopes squarely on governmental intervention to end this nightmare and reunite them with their sons, brothers, and nephews.