All this 22-year-old man from Morbi desired was to travel to Russia to pursue higher education. But the script flipped, throwing Sahil Mohammad Hussain’s life out of gear.
He was allegedly compelled to serve in the Russian military after being blackmailed with a false drugs case.
Vibes of India has presented Hussain’s version of the events. He underwent just 16 days of military training before being sent to the front lines on October 1, where he completed three days of combat duty. After a dispute with his commander, he surrendered to the Ukrainian 63rd Mechanized Brigade, walking into their trench about two to three kilometers away from the frontline.
Now, speaking from Ukraine, where he has been held after surrendering to Ukrainian forces, he has urged the Indian government to take up his case with President Vladimir Putin.
“President Vladimir Putin was in India recently. I would like to request the government to speak to Putin for my safe return home,” Hussain reportedly said in a video message.
Recently, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India was actively working to secure the release of its citizens who joined the Russian armed forces. He also urged caution to prevent further recruitment.
At a special briefing on the state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Misri confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the matter with the Russian President. He reportedly said that “our concerted efforts continue on a regular basis to secure the early release of Indian citizens from the Russian Army.”
“This issue of the recruitment of Indian citizens into the Russian armed forces was broached by PM Modi,” Misri was quoted as saying.
He also cautioned Indian citizens against accepting offers to join the Russian military. “I would just take this opportunity to reiterate once again that our citizens should avoid very, very carefully any offers to join the Russian armed forces. We are seeing several cases of people stranded there, appealing to be rescued and brought out. As I said, we are actively engaged in that effort,” he said.
Meanwhile, Hussain’s mother has filed a petition in a Delhi court seeking his safe return, with the next hearing scheduled for February.
In one of the videos, Hussain, wearing an olive-green jacket, said: “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 done anything. At least 700 people were jailed by Russia on drugs charges. But the jail authorities gave them a choice of getting the charges dropped by joining the Russian military.”
Expressing his despair, he added: “I feel hopeless. I don’t know what will happen. But I do have a message for young people who are coming to Russia, ‘be careful’. There are many scamsters here who can falsely implicate you in a drug case.”
Families of Indians stranded in Russia have been protesting, demanding government intervention to bring their loved ones home, highlighting that such cases are part of a growing and deeply troubling pattern.
Also Read: Trapped In Russia-Ukraine War, Gujarat Student’s Family Urges Government To Bring Him Home https://www.vibesofindia.com/trapped-in-russia-ukraine-war-gujarat-students-family-urges-government-to-bring-him-home/
