Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

• Says willing to help investigate situation if Sri Lankan authorities make an official request

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.   

Earlier, it was reported that a mother in Jaffna had appealed to the police to rescue her son, who, along with several other young men, had been forcibly taken and made to join the Russian Army in the fight against Ukraine over the past two years.    

Six young men, including a father of three, were reportedly duped by a bogus travel agent who had been clandestinely recruiting young men from the North and East to serve as mercenaries in the Russian Army, according to the reports.   

In response to these reports, the Russian Embassy emphasised that it is closely monitoring unverified data aimed at discrediting the traditionally friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka.   
“Russian authorities respect all foreigners arriving in our country and are ready to provide them with job opportunities based on their personal choice, competencies, and available vacancies,” the embassy stated.   
The embassy also said that issues related to Sri Lankan citizens in Russia are primarily handled by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow and reiterated that it had not received any official information about local travel agencies sending Sri Lankans to Russia.   

However, the embassy expressed willingness to assist in investigating such activities should a request be made by the Sri Lankan authorities.   

Over the past year, Sri Lanka has seen a rise in individuals, including war veterans, being deceitfully recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The former government uncovered human trafficking rackets involving several war veterans and individuals being sent to Russia to fight in mercenary groups.   

Several retired Army personnel have been arrested for their involvement in sending Sri Lankans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, promising them various benefits. Many of the victims reportedly fell prey to these rackets while attempting to leave the country amid the ongoing economic crisis.