UN Expert: Sri Lankans Trafficked to Fight in Russia-Ukraine War

Why in the News ?

• On September 22, 2025, during the 60th UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, UN Special Rapporteur Mariana Katzarova revealed that Sri Lankans -including Tamils from the conflict-affected Jaffna district – were trafficked and coerced into fighting for the Russian army in Ukraine.
• The issue reflects a growing pattern of forced recruitment of South Asians into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
  

Background

• Russia’s manpower shortage in its prolonged war with Ukraine has triggered the recruitment of foreign nationals, sometimes through coercion.
• UN findings (Sept 15 report) highlight that individuals from Sri Lanka and Nepal were trafficked, tortured, and deceived into signing military contracts.
• In July 2024, the UN Working Group on mercenaries and human rights experts warned Sri Lanka of “predatory recruitment” networks luring job-seekers with false promises.
• Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis has led to record-high outward migration, with over 1.44 lakh workers leaving in the first half of 2025, making them vulnerable to trafficking.
• Other South Asians, too, including Indians and Nepalis, have been reported stranded or coerced into the battlefield.
  

Features of the Issue

Trafficking Networks

• Recruitment agencies promised jobs in Europe but trafficked workers into Russia’s military.
• Victims paid hefty fees to agents, worsening their financial vulnerability.

Coercion and Abuse

• Victims faced torture, threats to families, and, in some cases, death for refusing contracts.
• Once conscripted, they were sent directly to frontline combat.

Scale of the Problem

• Reports suggest hundreds of Sri Lankans, alongside Indians and Nepalis, may be involved.
  At least 120 Sri Lankan ex-military men went missing after joining Russia’s war effort in 2024.

Government Response

• India raised the issue with Russia seeking the release of its nationals.
• Srilanka claims Russia has halted recruitment but has not disclosed the exact figures of citizens involved.

Geopolitical Angle

• Sri Lanka maintains close ties with Russia, complicating open confrontation.
• Compensation and repatriation of injured or dead fighters is being pursued quietly.
  

Challenges

• Weak Enforcement in Sri Lanka: Families’ appeals to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President’s office went unanswered.
• Opaque Numbers: No official data on Sri Lankans fighting in Ukraine.
• Economic Push Factors: High unemployment and debt drive citizens to risky migration.
• Transnational Crime: A lucrative international network profits from trafficking South Asians.
• Geopolitical Dilemma: Sri Lanka depends on Russian goodwill for trade, defence, and diplomatic support.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Legal Safeguards
• Crack down on fraudulent recruitment agencies.
• Amend migration laws to enhance accountability and victim protection.

International Cooperation

• Collaborate with UN agencies and affected South Asian countries (India, Nepal) for intelligence sharing.
• Push for a UN framework to curb forced recruitment in conflict zones.

Rehabilitation and Repatriation

• Ensure safe return of trafficked nationals.
• Provide financial and psychological support to affected families.

Public Awareness

• Educate job seekers about fraudulent overseas opportunities.
• Strengthen community-level reporting mechanisms.

Diplomatic Balancing

• Maintain constructive engagement with Russia while safeguarding citizens’ rights.
• Use bilateral channels to expedite compensation and repatriation.

Conclusion

The trafficking of Sri Lankans into the Russia-Ukraine war underscores the intersection of economic vulnerability, transnational crime, and global conflict. For Sri Lanka, still recovering from an economic collapse, the crisis highlights the urgent need for robust migration governance, stronger international coordination, and victim-centred policies. The issue is not just about foreign policy, but about protecting human rights in times of global instability.

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION

The trafficking of Sri Lankans into the Russia–Ukraine war highlights the intersection of migration, economic vulnerability, and geopolitics. Discuss with reference to South Asia’s role in global conflicts.

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION