Media: Tajik migrant recruited from Russian prison killed in Ukraine Days after signing up

A 27-year-old man from Tajikistan has been killed in Ukraine just a week after being recruited from a Russian prison to fight for Moscow’s army, local officials said.

Abdumuttalib Ayubov, from the village of Basmando in northern Tajikistan, was serving time in Russia following a fatal car accident, Caliber.Az reports citing Asia-Plus.

According to the village head, he was promised early release if he agreed to sign a military contract. “He believed them and signed,” said Hayatullo Gafurov.

“Two days ago, they brought his body back home.”

Ayubov was buried in his home village on November 3. Neighbours described him as a quiet young man who had spent most of the past decade working in Russia.

Local media say nearly a thousand Tajik nationals have signed contracts with the Russian military—many seeking money, citizenship or release from jail.

According to Ukraine’s I Want to Live project, at least 196 of them have been killed. Russian investigators say more than 10,000 migrant workers granted citizenship have been sent to the front.

By Aghakazim Guliyev