📷 Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment

Newsman, Dhaka

Following harrowing reports of nationals joining the Russian military, Dhaka initiated a sweeping crackdown on human trafficking networks on Monday (June 1) to dismantle fraudulent recruitment pipelines to the Ukraine frontlines.

As part of the operation, the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment revoked the licenses of three recruiting agencies—RS International (RL-1428), Jabal-e-Noor (RL-2505), and TS Overseas Limited (RL-1755)—and confiscated their security deposits.

Md. Shariful Islam, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry, confirmed that these measures were the direct instruction of Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury. This crackdown stands as Dhaka’s most aggressive move yet to dismantle predatory recruitment schemes that channel unsuspecting migrants into foreign battlefields.

The action follows a March 3, 2026, investigation by human rights organizations Fortify Rights and Truth Hounds. The report, titled “I Was Tricked into the War: The Risk of Human Trafficking and Coerced Recruitment of Bangladeshi Men into Russia’s War in Ukraine,” documented how trafficking networks allegedly lured young Bangladeshi men to Russia with promises of well-paid civilian jobs in sectors such as hospitality, construction, and services.

According to survivor testimonies and information gathered by Ukrainian authorities, many recruits discovered upon arrival that the promised jobs did not exist. Instead, they were reportedly pressured or coerced into signing military contracts written in Cyrillic, a language they could not understand, before being deployed to active combat zones with little or no military training.

The report estimates that at least 34 Bangladeshi nationals lost their life while fighting in Ukraine. Beyond punitive action against the agencies, the government has also begun efforts to assist those still trapped in Russia. The Ministry said at least 30 Bangladeshi citizens remain stranded under similar circumstances.

“We will not allow the actions of a few unscrupulous actors to damage the reputation of Bangladesh’s overseas employment sector,” Minister Chowdhury said. He pledged that all individuals and networks involved would be held accountable for placing citizens in grave danger. Ministry instructed the Bangladeshi ambassador in Moscow to prioritize diplomatic efforts to facilitate the safe return of affected nationals.

Investigations by local media outlets, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, have revealed how traffickers allegedly used social media platforms such as TikTok and Facebook to advertise supposedly safe jobs, including positions as warehouse workers and security guards.

The Ministry has issued an advisory urging prospective migrant workers to verify recruitment agencies and employment contracts through official government channels before making any payments.