Indian Student Captured in Ukraine After Being Forced to Fight for Russian Army to Avoid Prison

A 22-year-old Indian student from Gujarat's Morbi, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, who traveled to Russia for university studies, has been captured by Ukrainian forces after being deployed to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Sahil informed Ukrainian troops that he faced a seven-year prison sentence in Russia on drug charges and joined the Russian military to escape imprisonment.

After his capture, his family has requested assistance from the Indian government for his safe return home.

In footage released by Ukraine's 63rd Mechanised Brigade, Sahil explained in the local language: "I was a university student when they imprisoned me for drug use. They sentenced me to seven years, but I didn't want that. I didn't want to remain in prison, so I signed a contract for the 'special military operation.' But I wanted to escape from there."

When encountering Ukrainian forces, Sahil stated, "I came upon a Ukrainian trench position approximately 2-3 kilometres away... I immediately laid down my weapon and stated that I had no desire to fight. I needed assistance."

He claimed the Russian army promised him financial compensation that was never delivered. "I don't want to return to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. I would prefer imprisonment here in Ukraine," he added.

Sahil's uncle, Abdul Ibrahim, told reporters: "He went to Russia to study and secure employment. We learned through media reports that he's trapped in Ukraine. We appeal to the government to facilitate his return."

Community leader Kasam Sumrani explained that Sahil was falsely implicated in a drug case in Russia. "We saw his interview with Ukrainian authorities on social media. Speaking in the local language, he explained that he went to Russia for education but was framed in a drug case and sentenced to seven years."

Sumrani continued, "Sahil was offered a choice to avoid punishment by joining the Russian military to fight against Ukraine. Facing either combat or seven years in prison, he chose the former. On the battlefield, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces, pleading, 'Save me from Russia. They fraudulently filed charges against me. I've been trapped and don't want to fight.'"

Indian authorities have not yet confirmed Sahil's detention and stated they are working to verify Ukrainian media reports.

"We are investigating the validity of these reports. We haven't received formal communication from Ukraine regarding this matter," sources in India's Ministry of External Affairs informed NDTV.

In January, the Ministry of External Affairs reported that 12 Indian nationals, among 126 who were misled into relocating to Russia, died fighting for the Russian Army in Ukraine. Sixteen others were reported "missing" at that time.

India has maintained neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, refusing to take sides, abstaining from international sanctions against Moscow, and advocating for a peaceful resolution.