[50660] Two Russian citizens rescued from forced labor facilities in Myanmar and transferred to the Russian embassy in Thailand

Two Russian citizens rescued from forced labor facilities in Myanmar

The Russian Foreign Ministry and official news agencies reported on May 5, 2026, on the successful rescue of two Russian citizens, Natalia K. and Alfior K., who were held against their will in "scam center" facilities in Myanmar. According to an announcement by the Russian Foreign Ministry, the women were transferred in coordination with law enforcement authorities in Thailand and Myanmar to an immigration center in the border town of Myawaddy, and from there they will be taken to Bangkok ahead of their return to Russia.

The affair began when the victims were lured to the region under false promises of high-paying translator jobs of "up to $10,000 per month," according to reports by Readovka. Upon their arrival, their documents were taken and they were forced to engage in criminal activity under threats and torture. The Baza channel, known for reporting on criminal incidents in Russia, noted that one of the women was a designer by profession who was seeking an employment opportunity but became a hostage of a "foreign mafia."

According to the TASS news agency, this is part of an ongoing effort by Russian authorities to repatriate citizens who have fallen victim to similar scams in Southeast Asia. The Russian ambassador in Yangon, Iskander Azizov, told Говорит Москва that over the past two years the embassy has assisted in the return of 19 citizens, and warned against tempting job offers as models or translators in the Indochina region.

Reports in various sources (including ЕЖ and РЕПОРТЁРЫ) are unified in a narrative that emphasizes the effectiveness of Russian diplomats and local law enforcement bodies in international cooperation. These sources are generally identified with positions that support the policies of the Russian government and do not present a counter-narrative to these rescue operations.