Sri Lanka Demands Russia Pays for Its Citizens Killed in Ukraine

A Sri Lankan delegation visited Russia, where they discussed the fate of their citizens participating in the war in Ukraine. This was reported on the website of the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry.

According to the country's authorities, 17 of its citizens who signed contracts and fought on the side of Russia died in the war in Ukraine.

During a visit to Moscow, the Sri Lankan delegation discussed with the Russian side the victims, “compensation for the dead and wounded, the plight of Sri Lankans who cannot be contacted, the possibility of voluntary return, early termination of contracts and the streamlining of remuneration.”

The parties agreed to continue negotiations on these issues. Sri Lanka proposed to set up a working committee, comprising officials from both sides, which would meet regularly to resolve them.

A delegation from Sri Lanka visited Russia on June 26-27. It was headed by the country's Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya. The Russian side was represented by Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko and Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

Sri Lanka had previously launched an investigation to trace the fate of at least 2,000 of its citizens who fought on both sides of the war. Some said they were tricked into fighting for Russia. At least 22 Sri Lankans have managed to defect and return home, authorities said.

In November 2022, Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing foreigners to sign a contract with the Russian army. In early January 2024, a document came into force according to which foreigners who signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense are granted Russian citizenship. The head of the Investigative Committee, Alexander Bastrykin, said that about ten thousand people with acquired Russian citizenship were sent to the war in Ukraine.

To get the main news faster, subscribe to our telegram and twitter .