"Don't Go There": Gujarat Student Forced Into Russian Army Appeals To PM Modi, Warns Indians

New Delhi: A young man from Gujarat, who went to Russia for studies on a student visa, has sent a stark warning to Indians after ending up in Ukraine's custody. In video messages released by Ukrainian forces, he says Russian authorities framed him with a drug case and then forced him into the Russian Army to avoid jail time.

Why did he join the Russian Army?

The student, identified as Sahil Mohammad Hussain, who is from Gujarat's Morbi, travelled to Russia in 2024 on a student visa. He worked part-time with a courier company to support himself. According to his account, Russian police arrested him on a narcotics charge he says was false. He claims officials offered to drop the case if he agreed to enlist in the Russian military. Faced with the threat of prison, he took the deal. 

After around 15 days of basic training, he says he was sent straight to the front lines in Ukraine. As soon as he reached the combat zone, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces. 

What is he saying now?

In the video, Hussain urges young Indians against going to Russia for work or study without caution. He says many "scamsters" are ready to trap students and jobseekers with bogus cases and then push them into military service. 

He also appealed directly to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help secure his return home. 

"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," Hussain said in the video.

How has the family reacted?

Ukrainian forces sent the video to his mother in Gujarat and encouraged her to raise awareness about similar cases. His mother has now filed a petition in a Delhi court seeking his safe repatriation. The next hearing is set for February. 

Is the government involved?

The foreign ministry has acknowledged the issue of its citizens ending up in Russian military service and says it is actively working to bring them back. 

On December 5, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian government is actively working to secure the release of Indian nationals who joined the Russian army. 

Misri also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin and that discussions are ongoing to ensure the early release of Indian citizens from the Russian Army.

The foreign ministry has repeatedly warned Indian nationals against offers linked to military enlistment in Russia.