Three UP youths ‘forced’ into Russian Army, families say no contact since July

Three families in western Uttar Pradesh are living through months of uncertainty after three young men who travelled to Russia on study visas reportedly went missing from contact in July, with their families claiming they were forced into the Russian Army.

The families of Himanshu Sharma, 24, and Shakti Pundeer, 23, from Muzaffarnagar, and Ashu Kumar, 25, from neighbouring Shamli, have approached local authorities and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking help to trace the youths and bring them back home.

According to the families, the three men were staying together in Moscow despite travelling to Russia at different times.

Their last conversations with their families came in July. During those calls, the youths allegedly said Russian authorities had taken away their passports and were forcing them to undergo military training and join the Army.

Since then, their families say, there has been no communication. For Himanshu’s family in Baadh village, the silence has been particularly distressing.

“I tried calling Himanshu’s number hundreds of times, but got no response. I have no idea what circumstances he is in right now,” said his uncle, Pravesh Kumar, a farmer.

Himanshu had been pursuing a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) course but left it midway after deciding to travel to Russia. He was interested in learning the Russian language and went to Moscow on a one-year study visa after completing the necessary formalities.

His father, Mukesh Sharma, died in 2009. Himanshu had been living with his mother, Suman Devi, his two siblings and his uncle’s family.

“He used to call regularly after going there and ask about everyone’s well-being. On July 30, he called and said the Russian authorities had seized their passports and taken them away to join the Army. He promised to call again, but he never did,” Pravesh Kumar said.

About 10 kilometres away, Shakti Pundeer’s family is facing a similar ordeal. Shakti, the youngest of four siblings, had regularly spoken to his family about his life in Moscow. His father, Vipin Kumar, said his son had told them that he was sharing a room with Himanshu.

Then came the call that changed everything.

“Shakti used to call regularly and tell us about his daily routine. He told us he was sharing a room with Himanshu in Moscow. Then suddenly, he called and said that authorities in Russia had taken them for arms training and seized his passport,” Vipin Kumar said.

“He said he had no interest in joining the Army but was being pressured into it,” he added.

According to Shakti’s family, all three youths had travelled to Russia through a Shamli-based agent, who allegedly charged ₹3.5 lakh from each of them.

Vipin Kumar said he has approached the district magistrate, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister’s office and the Ministry of External Affairs seeking information about his son.

“I have been struggling to get any information about my son since his last call. I have written to the authorities seeking help, but I have not received any information so far,” he said.

Ashu Kumar travelled to Moscow in April this year after completing his intermediate studies. He subsequently stayed with Himanshu and Shakti.

For his family in Shamli, the uncertainty has turned into fear for his safety.

“Our family is fearing for his life. The last call in July lasted just two minutes. He said his passport had been seized,” said Ashu’s father, Rakesh Kumar, a farmer.

“I don’t want my son fighting for another country. He is being forced by the Russians to join their Army. If I wanted him to join any military, I would certainly want him in the Indian Army,” he said.

Ashu is the second of Rakesh Kumar’s three children. The family said it has also approached the authorities and urged the Indian government to intervene.

“We have sent letters to the authorities and are hoping the Indian government will help bring our children home. The agent who sent the three children to Moscow lives a short distance from my house. I went to him twice and asked him to look into the matter, but he showed no interest,” Rakesh said.

“For me, the main concern is that my son returns home safely,” he added. The families have also sought the intervention of district administrations.

Muzaffarnagar Naib Tehsildar Amit Kumar said a letter had been sent to the Union Home Ministry regarding the two youths from the district whose families had submitted applications alleging that they were being held in Moscow.

Shamli Sub-Divisional Magistrate Sachin Rajput said he would need to examine the documents before looking into the matter.

For now, the families remain without answers, waiting for any information about the whereabouts and safety of the three young men who left India hoping to build a future abroad.