Bangladeshi killed near Ukraine border after allegedly being sent into Russia’s war

Three Bangladeshis have reportedly been killed in a mine blast

A man from Kishoreganj’s Karimganj Upazila has reportedly been killed in a mine explosion while “fighting for Russia” near the Ukraine border, plunging his family into grief.

Police said relatives learned of the death through a video message sent from Russia on Friday.

The victim was known as Md Jahangir Hossain.

According to his younger brother Javed, identified by a single name, Jahangir was among three Bangladeshis killed in an explosion on Monday inside Russian-controlled territory near the Ukraine border.

“My brother’s friend Mridul confirmed the death through a video message,” Javed said. “He is now working at a Russian military camp.”

Javed said the other two dead were Md Suruj Kazi from Madaripur and Md Yusuf Khan from Cumilla, while another Bangladeshi was injured.

In the video, Mridul alleged that an agency named “Arafa Al Monowar Agency” sent them to Russia with promises of jobs before handing them over to the Russian military through “different tactics”.

Jahangir’s mother Zakia Begum repeatedly broke down in tears after hearing the news.

“I do not want money. I just want my son back,” she cried.

Holding their 2-and-a-half-year-old child, Jahangir’s wife Mashuka Hossain said: “He went to Russia hoping for a better job and life for the family. Instead, he was sent to war.”

Police officer Emranul Kabir said authorities had not yet received official confirmation but learned of the death from the family.

Earlier on May 2, another man from Karimganj, Riyad Rashid, was killed in a drone strike near the Russia-Ukraine border.