Special Correspondent

What originally appeared as an opportunity for employment in Russia has turned into a life-threatening ordeal for several Bangladeshi youths who have been drawn onto the frontlines of the ongoing conflict, facing heavy casualties, missing companions, and unpaid wages.

Rajan Hossain, a youth hailing from Tangail currently stranded on the frontline, described the grim reality of the battlefield after leaving Bangladesh in search of regular employment. Rajan revealed that while youths arrived in Russia through various routes—including social media advertisements, local brokers, and personal arrangements—many ended up signing military contracts written entirely in the Russian language without understanding the binding terms.

Language barriers have exacerbated risks for foreign recruits during military training and operational deployments, Rajan noted, adding that he has not received his salary for the past three months. He recounted serving alongside foreign nationals from Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Zimbabwe, Chad, and Indonesia, all bound by similar circumstances and high risks.

Highlighting the fatal consequences faced by Bangladeshi recruits, Rajan confirmed that his acquaintance Abu Saleh from Sylhet remains missing, while Ahmed Sakib from Bikrampur was killed in action, alongside several other casualties.

He stated that returning home remains extremely difficult due to strict military regulations and signed contractual obligations, which severely limit diplomatic intervention by national embassies. In Tangail, Rajan's family expressed deep anxiety over his safety, noting that withdrawal from the battlefield appears impossible once contractual agreements are executed.

In this situation, the government should take urgent steps through diplomatic channels.