Hundreds of Sri Lankans Tricked Into Joining Russia’s Army in Ukraine, Officials Say

Hundreds of Sri Lankan citizens have reportedly been recruited to join Russia’s war against Ukraine—and many of them were tricked into it.

Officials announced the bizarre development on Monday, with one lawmaker telling the Sri Lankan parliament that most of those recruited were lured into the Russian army, and often using promises of generous pay and assurances they wouldn’t be placed into combat roles.

“We have received complaints from approximately 280” relatives of those recruited, public security minister Tiran Alles was quoted telling Agence France-Presse. Some of those 280 citizens are thought to have joined the Ukrainian military, though lawmaker Gamini Waleboda said the majority had been recruited for the Russian side.

Read more at The Daily Beast.