This young man would never have thought that chasing greener pastures outside India would lead to dire consequences. It would trap him in a war. He would find himself in a rival camp.
From a quiet town in Morbi, Gujarat to the custody of Ukraine soldiers, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein’s story is one of desperation. And a longing to somehow return home.
The 22-year-old traveled to Russia to pursue higher education. He was caught in a drug-related case and sentenced to prison.
Now, his family has made an earnest appeal to send Hussein home. Investigations are underway, with Hussein’s family taken for questioning, according to latest reports.
Special military operation
In a candid video released by Ukraine, Hussein revealed that he enlisted to avoid a seven-year prison sentence on the drug-related charges.
Hussein accepted an offer from Russian authorities to join the military’s “special military operation” against Ukraine, as revealed in the video. He said he did not want to remain in prison and signed a contract to avoid further punishment.
According to Hussein’s account in the video, 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.
No intention to fight
Hussein expressed that he did not want to fight and preferred to remain in a Ukrainian prison rather than return to Russia, stating that promises of financial compensation for joining the Russian army were never fulfilled.
According to the latest reports, the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat took Hussein’s mother, Hasina Majothi, and her brother Farooq for questioning in Ahmedabad on Wednesday regarding a video clip released by Ukrainian authorities.
Following this, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv sought information from Gujarat officials. Hasina later told the media from Gandhinagar that the family was trying to meet the Chief Minister to seek intervention and assistance.
Last contact: two months ago
When reporters visited Hussein’s family home in the Kalika Plot area of Morbi, Hasina declined to speak and left the residence, locking the door behind her and moving to an undisclosed location.
Local community leader Kasambhai Sumara told a media house that Hussein last contacted his family two months ago. A relative, Anwar Majothi, provided background, explaining that Hasina, a seamstress, married Mohamed Hussein from Jamnagar about 23 years ago. The couple separated when Sahil was around two years old, after which Hasina returned to Morbi.
Anwar said Sahil completed Class 12 in the science stream at a Gujarati-medium school. He worked in a local floor tiles factory before enrolling at ITMO University in St Petersburg to study computer engineering. While in Russia, he worked as an online delivery person. He was arrested for delivering a parcel containing drugs.
A desperate surrender
Following his conviction, Sahil accepted the Russian government’s offer to terminate his sentence in exchange for joining the military. After training, he was deployed to the frontlines and later surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
Anwar stressed the family’s desire for the Indian government to bring Sahil back and reunite him with his mother. He also mentioned that Hasina’s family has lived in the Kalika Plot area for many years and that her separation from Mohamed was voluntary due to frequent conflicts.
Sahil’s uncle Mohammadbhai Majothi said they sent him abroad for better education and job opportunities. They hoped he would succeed.
Gujarat police are investigating how and when Sahil got his passport and visa. They are also looking into possible links to human trafficking. ATS officials called him resourceful, saying he secured admission and traveled to Russia without any support.
They noted that due to the war, his visa was obtained relatively easily. He reportedly paid his tuition fees online.
The Indian Consulate in St Petersburg had provided legal contact details after Sahil’s arrest, but his trial had not started when he enlisted in the Russian military.
Indian government warned, yet…
This case highlights ongoing concerns over Indian nationals being coerced or misled into joining the Russian military. Reports indicate that Indians on student or business visas have been promised lucrative jobs or education but compelled to enlist, with some deployed to the frontlines.
In January, the Indian government revealed that 126 nationals had joined the Russian army. Ninety-six Indians have returned from the Russian army. Twelve were killed, and 16 remain missing.
Last month, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that efforts were on to bring 27 more enlisted Indians back home.
It beggars belief that such cases emerge despite the Indian government cautioning citizens against joining the Russian army.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their meeting took place at the BRICS summit in Kazan in October. It highlighted India’s serious concern over the recruitment of its nationals.
Also Read: After Being In Ten Worst Performing States In School Education, Is Gujarat Taking The Right Step? https://www.vibesofindia.com/after-being-in-ten-worst-performing-states-in-school-education-is-gujarat-taking-the-right-step/
