More than 100 Lankan soldiers of fortune serving both Russia and Ukraine out of economic necessity

By Norman Palihawadane

Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that eight Lankans who served as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war were killed in action as per the information yielded by investigations conducted up to Thursday.He said that six Lankans were killed while serving the Russian army and two others died serving the Ukrainian forces.

The Police Spokesman said that further investigations are in progress to find out the exact number of Lankans serving in either side of the conflict.

He said that investigations have revealed that 60 Sri Lankans have been sent to Russia and 23 have been sent to Ukraine so far by human traffickers, to be deployed in the conflict.

ASP of the CID’s Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Maritime Crimes Division, Harendra Jayakantha said investigations have revealed that over 100 members of Sri Lankan security forces have joined the Russia – Ukraine war by illegal means.

In the meantime, one of the retired security forces members who had left the country to join the Russia-Ukraine war returned to the country from Ukraine Thursday morning (09). He was arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake upon arrival. He is a resident of Kuliyapitiya, police said.

 Independent observers said virtually all are soldiers of fortune due to dire economic straits they are facing here. As they are of no burden to the country they should not be criminalised for risking their life and limb to earn a living.