The government has initiated steps to bring back 30 Bangladeshi migrants who were allegedly forced to fight for Russia in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and punished three recruiting agencies over fraudulent recruitment.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment announced the measures, according to a press release on Monday night.

Expatriates’ welfare minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury said that the licences of three recruiting agencies involved in the crime had been cancelled and their security deposits forfeited.

The agencies are RS International (RL-1424), Jabal-E-Noor International Ltd (RL-2405) and TS Overseas Ltd (RL-1755).

Officials said that the agencies lured migrants with promises of high-paying jobs in Russia but fraudulently recruited them to serve as hired soldiers fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war.

Several Bangladeshi migrants had already reportedly been killed and injured after being recruited under false pretences to join the conflict, officials said.

The minister said that he had instructed the Bangladesh mission in Russia to take all possible measures to bring back the 30 Bangladeshis trapped in the war zone.

He also urged aspiring migrants to verify documents and job offers carefully before making migration decisions.