Gujarat Student: After a fictitious drug case, a Gujarati student claims he was forced to enlist in the Russian Army and sends an SOS video from Ukraine
Gujarat Student: In an SOS letter from Ukraine, a 22-year-old student from Gujarat’s Morbi district claims he was forced to enlist in the Russian Army after being wrongfully accused of drug-related offenses. In video communications made public by Ukrainian authorities, Sahil Mohammad Hussain described his experience and pleaded with the Indian government to step in and guarantee his safe return home.
Hussain said that in order to sustain himself financially, he worked part-time as a courier while traveling to Russia in 2024 to seek more education. However, he said that his stay was challenging and left him exposed due to issues with his visa and growing costs.
“Join the Army or Go to Jail”
Hussain states that despite his repeated denials of guilt, Russian authorities suspected him of being involved in a narcotics case. In the video, he said, “They told me the case would be dropped if I joined the Russian Army.” He said that in order to avoid going to jail, he accepted the offer.
Hussain said that he was sent to the front lines in Ukraine after just around 15 days of military training. “I surrendered to the Ukrainian Army as soon as I got to the front line,” he said.
Indian Youth Are Warned
Hussain said in a different video message that his experience was not unusual. He said that at least 700 Russians had been imprisoned for drug-related crimes and then offered the chance to have their cases dismissed if they joined the military.
“I feel like there is no hope. Young Indians should exercise caution while visiting Russia, Hussain warned, adding, “I don’t know what will happen.” He cautioned, “There are a lot of con artists here who can falsely implicate you in a drug case.”
Mom Files a Delhi Court Case
Later, the Ukrainian military sent Hussain’s mother in Gujarat his video messages, urging her to spread the word about Indians being tricked into joining the military. Since then, she has petitioned a Delhi court to have her kid returned safely. The case’s next hearing is set for February.
Concerns about Indian citizens being enlisted in the Russian military under dubious circumstances have been noted by the Indian government. India is aggressively striving to secure the release of its people, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated on December 5. He also urged prudence to avoid future recruitment. Hussain said, “I beg the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please assist.”