A Bangladeshi national who had reportedly joined the Russian army was killed in a Ukrainian drone attack while fighting for Russia, family members and locals said today.
The deceased was identified as Md Riyad Rashid, 28, son of Abdur Rashid from Majhirkona village in Jafrabad union of Karimganj upazila.
According to family sources, Riyad’s friend Limon Dutta informed them of his death via Facebook messenger around 7:00pm on Friday. Limon, a resident of Narsingdi District, was serving in the same army camp in Russia and was also injured in the drone attack.
Relatives gathered at Riyad’s home as news of his death spread.
Riyad, the fourth among five siblings, had travelled to Russia in October 2024 to work for a company.
Md Emranul Kabir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Karimganj Police Station, told this correspondent that police visited the family after receiving the information and confirmed the death through relatives.
Speaking to this correspondent, Riyad’s cousin Zahirul Islam said Limon told the family that the drone attack took place on May 2 near the Russian-controlled Ukrainian border. According to him, two Bangladeshis, including Riyad, and a Nigerian soldier were killed, while three others were injured. However, Limon could not confirm details about the other Bangladeshi victim.
Limon reportedly lost a leg in the attack and is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital there.
Zahirul added that the family last spoke with Riyad on April 28, and his body has not yet been recovered.
Riyad’s father, Abdur Rashid, said, “He [Riyad] did not tell me that he had joined the army. If I had known, I would never have allowed my son to join. I have been told he was killed in a drone strike. As a father, how can I endure this pain?”
Abdur Rashid is a former teacher of Jafrabad High School.
Jafrabad Union Chairman Abu Sadat Md Sayem said he visited the family after learning about the incident. “The entire family is in grief. The government should stand by the family,” he added.
More than 100 Bangladeshis have been recruited into Russia’s war against Ukraine, and dozens have been killed on the front lines, according to Fortify Rights. In a report, they said many of the men were misled, exploited, or financially trapped before ending up in combat.
The report said Bangladeshi men were being flown out of Dhaka, routed through Saudi Arabia and the UAE, before being taken to Moscow and forced onto the frontlines of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
