At least 16 Sri Lankan mercenaries have been killed fighting in the war between Russia and Ukraine, according to Sri Lanka’s deputy defense minister. Tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have died since the invasion began more than two years ago. This has led Moscow to seek more troops globally, with soldiers from countries like Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal signing up to fight. An inquiry in Sri Lanka has identified 288 retired soldiers who participated in the conflict, with 16 confirmed deaths.
While the deputy defense minister did not specify which side of the conflict the soldiers had been fighting on, a ruling party lawmaker indicated that most had been recruited to fight alongside the Russian army. The Sri Lankan mercenaries were reportedly promised high salaries and non-combat roles, but were ultimately deceived. The recruitment of Sri Lankans for the conflict is being treated as a human trafficking enterprise, with military officers being warned not to fall prey to the recruitment drive.
The Sri Lankan government is in talks with both the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministries to locate Sri Lankans in the two countries and bring them back safely. This is considered a delicate issue as Sri Lanka considers both Russia and Ukraine to be important allies. The situation highlights the risks faced by Sri Lankans who are recruited as mercenaries in conflicts abroad, and the government is working to ensure the safe return of its citizens involved in the war between Russia and Ukraine.
The participation of Sri Lankan mercenaries in the war between Russia and Ukraine underscores the complex international dynamics at play in the conflict. With tens of thousands of Russian soldiers killed in the invasion, Moscow has been seeking additional troops from various countries. Sri Lanka, along with other regional neighbors like India and Nepal, has seen citizens joining the conflict as mercenaries. The involvement of Sri Lankan soldiers in the conflict has raised concerns about the dangers faced by those who are recruited to fight in wars overseas.
The recruitment of Sri Lankans for the war between Russia and Ukraine has been characterized as a human trafficking enterprise, with mercenaries being promised high salaries and non-combat roles. The deceptive recruitment tactics have led to the deaths of at least 16 Sri Lankan mercenaries, prompting the Sri Lankan government to open an inquiry into the matter. The government is working to track down and bring back Sri Lankans involved in the conflict safely, engaging in discussions with both the Ukrainian and Russian foreign ministries.
As Sri Lanka navigates the delicate balance of maintaining relationships with both Russia and Ukraine, the issue of Sri Lankan mercenaries fighting in the war remains a sensitive one. The situation serves as a reminder of the risks faced by individuals who are recruited to participate in conflicts abroad, as well as the importance of ensuring their safe return. The involvement of Sri Lankans in the war between Russia and Ukraine highlights the global nature of modern warfare and the challenges it poses for countries like Sri Lanka.
