A shocking tale of retired Sri Lankan army soldiers being coerced into military service in Russia has emerged, as a former soldier files a complaint with the CID detailing harrowing experiences.
According to the complaint, retired soldiers were lured to Russia under the guise of supporting military efforts, only to find themselves forced into frontline combat, facing the threat of death if they attempted to escape. Even leaving the frontlines meant risking execution by Russian forces.
Reports reveal that these soldiers, recruited for supposed support services, underwent weapon training in Russia before being thrust into combat roles as mercenaries, with little hope of returning to Sri Lanka.
One retired soldier, who managed to escape from the clutches of the Russian army, filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigation Department upon returning to Sri Lanka through the Embassy of Sri Lanka.
The complainant provided substantial evidence, including Russian documents, to the Criminal Investigation Department, detailing the individuals and entities involved in the illicit recruitment scheme. Authorities have pledged to conduct a thorough investigation based on this information.
Meanwhile, foreign sources report that two Sri Lankan mercenaries were killed in a drone attack on the Russian forward defense line near the Ukrainian border, underscoring the deadly risks faced by those coerced into frontline service.
