Indian Student Captured Fighting for Russian Army in Ukraine: MEA Seeks Verification

Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, a 22-year-old Indian national from Morbi, Gujarat, has allegedly been captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian army.

According to Ukrainian sources, Hussein was detained by Ukraine's 63rd Mechanised Brigade. Indian authorities are currently working to verify these reports as they have not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side regarding this matter.

Sources from India's Ministry of External Affairs stated: "We are ascertaining the veracity of the report. We have not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side in this regard."

The Kyiv Independent reported that Hussein had initially traveled to Russia as a university student before being enlisted in the Russian military to fight against Ukraine.

In a video recorded by the Ukrainian forces that captured him, Hussein reportedly explained that he had been sentenced to seven years imprisonment in Russia on drug-related charges. While incarcerated, he was offered the opportunity to join the Russian military instead of serving his prison term.

"I didn't want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract for the 'special military operation.' But I wanted to get out of there," Hussein reportedly stated in the video.

He further revealed that he received only 16 days of training from Russian forces before being deployed to his first combat mission on October 1. After three days of fighting and following a disagreement with his commander, Hussein surrendered to Ukrainian troops.

"I came across a Ukrainian trench position about 2-3 kilometres away... I immediately put down my rifle and said that I didn't want to fight. I needed help," he recounted.

This incident follows previous reports suggesting that Russian forces have been recruiting nationals from various countries, including India and North Korea, with promises of lucrative employment or other opportunities.

Hussein claimed he was promised financial compensation for joining the Russian army, which he never received. He expressed his reluctance to return to Russia, stating: "I don't want to go back to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. I'd rather go to prison here (in Ukraine)."

In January, India's Ministry of External Affairs reported that 12 Indian nationals, among 126 who were misled into moving to Russia, had died fighting for the Russian Army in Ukraine. The ministry also noted that sixteen others were "missing" at that time.

The Indian government subsequently "strongly" raised this issue with Moscow, requesting the early discharge of Indians trapped in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Throughout the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance by refusing to take sides, opting out of international sanctions against Moscow, and calling for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.