Russians call Central Asia citizens to collect bodies of occupiers and work in hospitals

Hundreds of migrants from Central Asia have been hired by Russian companies to work in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, particularly to collect the bodies of the occupiers killed there.

Source: the Ukrainian service of Radio Liberty 

Quote: "Russian companies have hired hundreds of migrants from Central Asia to work in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine, despite their governments warning them not to go to Ukraine. Kyiv has also stated that such workers will be considered supporters of the Russian occupiers."

Details: A man from Kyrgyzstan, who did not want to give his surname, said he was aware of all the risks related to this and had discussed it with other migrants working in Ukraine. "They have told me that sometimes they come under fire and that people die. They are doing this because they have no choice. Some of them are in debt," he said. 

Most migrants work in the construction sector in devastated cities such as Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast. Other work involves digging trenches and collecting bodies.

Several women from Central Asia said they had been offered work in military hospitals, canteens and factories in occupied parts of the east of Ukraine.

The primary motivation for migrants is money. For instance, the occupiers offer jobs in the construction sector paying US$2,000-3,300 per month in the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine. That is far more than they could earn in Russia. 

As well as offering money, Russian companies have reportedly promised Central Asian women in Russian prisons that their criminal records will be expunged if they agree to work in Ukraine.

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