A distress call has emerged from Mohammed Sufiyan, a 22-year-old from Telangana, and three others from Karnataka’s Kalaburagi, who find themselves stranded in Russia, coerced into military service in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine.
In a video sent to their families, Sufiyan, donning army attire, revealed their ordeal, labeling it a case of recruitment deception. The group recounted how they were promised employment as security aides by recruiters during a visit to Dubai in 2023. However, upon their return to India in November, they were swiftly dispatched to Russia a month later. Departing from Chennai, they embarked on their journey under the guise of visitor visas.
Assured hefty salaries exceeding ₹2 lakh per month, they entrusted a security deposit of ₹3.5 lakh to the recruiters. To their dismay, they found themselves thrust into the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, allegedly drafted by the Wagner Group, a private military entity supported by the Russian government for operations in Ukraine.
The families of the stranded youth were shocked to learn of their involvement in the conflict, which reportedly includes 60 other Indian nationals forcibly conscripted into Russia’s private military ranks. These individuals are purportedly stationed a mere 40 km from the Ukraine border and managed to relay their distress using a Russian soldier’s mobile device.
Investigations reveal allegations against a Maharashtra-based individual operating a YouTube channel, enticing job seekers with promises of ‘security personnel/helper’ roles in Russia, leading to the unwitting recruitment into the Wagner Group.
Efforts are underway to provide assistance and bring the stranded Indians back home amidst this distressing predicament.
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