Sri Lanka launches a search for its citizens in Russia who are involved in the war

18 May, 2024 Captured Russian mercenaries. Photo from open source Sri Lanka will dispatch a high-level delegation to Russia to investigate the fate of more than hundreds of nationals reportedly fighting in the war in Ukraine.

Reuters reported on this. Currently, the country's authorities have already launched an official investigation to find out how Sri Lankans are being lured to participate in the war against Ukraine. Officials also report that, in addition to direct invitations to the Russian Armed Forces, some people joined the war by seeking legal employment at Russian companies.

Nepalese mercenaries in the ranks of the Russian army.

2023. Russia. Photo credits: Yurii Butusov.

"The primary challenge lies in determining the exact number of individuals in Russia.

As per unofficial sources, approximately 600-800 Sri Lankan individuals are in Russia," said State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya. It should be noted that Sri Lanka is currently experiencing its worst crisis in more than 70 years, which has also hit the country's economy hard. As a result, the number of unemployed has doubled, so looking for work abroad is a great opportunity for people to earn money.

According to government officials, former military personnel are prioritized for recruitment, with salaries of up to £3,000 per month and the possibility of Russian citizenship.

Indian citizens recruited into the Russian Armed Forces, March 6, 2024.

Some of the citizens also signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces on the condition that they would not take part in combat on the front line, which was a deception. Militarnyi previously reported that the Sri Lankan government claimed that around 280 Sri Lankans had been recruited to fight in the war against Ukraine on the side of the Russian Armed Forces. An investigation is currently underway in the country to find recruiters who have been active since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The government has created a special unit that collects information about citizens who have been recruited to participate in hostilities.