Over 275 Lankans killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine war

Friday, 6 March 2026 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A report by Himal Southasian has revealed that Ukraine-compiled data show the number of Sri Lankans killed fighting for Russia in the ongoing Russo-Ukraine war is at least 275 – the highest death toll for any South Asian country.

The figure is far higher than that of 59 reported by the Sri Lankan Government in February 2025.

The data comes from Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War (POW), a Government body responsible for handling POWs and tracking foreign fighters.

The Himal Southasian story also reports on the struggles of Sri Lankan war widows trying to obtain promised compensation for their husbands killed while fighting for Russia, and points to illicit agents and networks recruiting Sri Lankans to fight for the Russian military.