In a distressing video making rounds on social media platform X, seven men from Punjab and Haryana can be seen clad in military-style winter jackets and skull caps, cramped into a dimly lit room. Desperation etched on their faces, they implore the Indian government to intervene and rescue them.
23-year-old man who said he is from #Gurdaspur #Punjab #GagandeepSingh called @ndtv @ndtvindia to appeal to @MEAIndia @states_mea @DrSJaishankar to help them return to India; says 7 of them who met in Russia may be deployed any time, without any training, to fight war in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/re6eFuyY1v
— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) March 4, 2024
The harrowing tale unfolds as the men narrate how they were allegedly deceived into joining the conflict in Ukraine while on what they thought would be a celebratory trip to Russia for New Year’s. One of the individuals, Harsh, recounts their ordeal, stating that they were lured into traveling to Belarus without proper documentation by an agent who subsequently abandoned them. Subsequently, they were apprehended by authorities and handed over to Russian officials, who coerced them into signing documents under duress.
Under threat of facing a decade in prison, the men claim they were compelled to sign contracts as “security helpers” for the Russian army. Following this, they were dispatched to Ukraine, ostensibly for military training and eventual deployment to the frontlines.
In their plea for repatriation, accessed by NDTV, the men have reached out to both the Ukrainian Embassy and the Indian government for assistance. Harsh’s family, speaking to NDTV, revealed that he had traveled to Russia in search of employment opportunities, only to find himself ensnared in this dire situation.
This alarming incident sheds light on a broader issue, as it follows several SOS appeals to the Ministry of External Affairs from Indians claiming similar circumstances of being coerced into participating in the Ukraine conflict. Last month, the tragic death of 23-year-old Indian Hemil Mangukiya, killed in a drone strike while allegedly fighting on the frontlines, further underscores the gravity of the situation.
According to statements from the Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 20 Indians currently find themselves in similar predicaments within Russia. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has affirmed that the Indian government is actively engaged in establishing contact with these individuals and is endeavoring to secure their release from military obligations.
The plight of these seven men serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by individuals who fall victim to deception and exploitation in foreign lands, highlighting the urgent need for robust measures to safeguard the welfare of Indian nationals abroad.
