Indian youth fighting for Russia captured in Ukraine, MEA verifying claims

A 22-year-old Indian man, allegedly fighting for the Russian army has been captured by Ukrainian forces, according to reports that India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is still verifying.

The man, identified by Ukrainian media as Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein from Morbi, Gujarat, recently appeared in a video released by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade. In the footage, Hussein claimed he had been sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison on drug-related charges, and was later offered the option to enlist in Moscow’s army to avoid serving his full sentence.

“I didn’t want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract for the ‘special military operation’,” Hussein said in the video, using Moscow’s term for its invasion of Ukraine. He added that after only 16 days of training, he was sent to the frontlines on October 1. Following a clash with his commander, Hussein said he voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian troops, telling them he “didn’t want to fight” and “needed help.”

“We are ascertaining the veracity of the report. We have not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side in this regard.” MEA sources said.

The case comes amid rising concern in New Delhi over reports of Indians being lured or coerced into fighting for Russia. In January, the MEA confirmed that 12 Indian nationals had died in combat and another 16 were missing, after being misled with promises of lucrative jobs in Russia.

Hussein, in the video, said he never received the promised financial compensation for joining the Russian army. “I don’t want to go back to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. I’d rather go to prison here,” he said.

India, which has walked a neutral line in the war, has repeatedly asked Moscow to release Indians caught up in the conflict.