New Delhi: A young man from Gujarat, who went to Russia for studies on a student visa, has sent a stark warning to Indians without ending up in Ukraine's custody. In video messages released by Ukrainian forces, he says Russian authorities framed him with a drug specimen and then forced him into the Russian Unwashed to stave jail time.
Why did he join the Russian Army?
The student, identified as Sahil Mohammad Hussain, who is from Gujarat's Morbi, travelled to Russia in 2024 on a student visa. He worked part-time with a courier visitor to support himself. According to his account, Russian police underdeveloped him on a narcotics tuition he says was false. He claims officials offered to waif the specimen if he well-set to enlist in the Russian military. Faced with the threat of prison, he took the deal.
After virtually 15 days of vital training, he says he was sent straight to the front lines in Ukraine. As soon as he reached the gainsay zone, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
What is he saying now?
In the video, Hussain urges young Indians versus going to Russia for work or study without caution. He says many "scamsters" are ready to trap students and jobseekers with pseudo cases and then push them into military service.
He moreover appealed directly to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help secure his return home.
"I came to Russia for studies in 2024. But due to financial and visa issues, I came in touch with some Russians who turned out to be in narcotics... I have not washed-up anything. At least 700 people were jailed by Russia on drugs charges. But the jail authorities gave them a nomination of getting the charges dropped by joining the Russian military," Hussain said in the video.
How has the family reacted?
Ukrainian forces sent the video to his mother in Gujarat and encouraged her to raise sensation well-nigh similar cases. His mother has now filed a petition in a Delhi magistrate seeking his unscratched repatriation. The next hearing is set for February.
Is the government involved?
The foreign ministry has undisputed the issue of its citizens ending up in Russian military service and says it is urgently working to bring them back.
On December 5, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian government is urgently working to secure the release of Indian nationals who joined the Russian army.
Misri moreover confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin and that discussions are ongoing to ensure the early release of Indian citizens from the Russian Army.
The foreign ministry has repeatedly warned Indian nationals versus offers linked to military enlistment in Russia.
