Hyderabad Man Trapped in Russian Military Seeks Rescue: "I Don't Want to Fight For Russia"

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi has requested the Foreign Ministry to assist in bringing Mohammed Ahmed back to India.

Mohammed Ahmed, a 37-year-old from Telangana, traveled to Russia in April seeking construction work but instead found himself unwittingly conscripted into military service. Within weeks of his arrival, Ahmed was reportedly deceived by his employment agent and forced to participate in combat operations in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

His wife Afsha Begum, residing in Hyderabad, has made an urgent appeal to the Foreign Ministry seeking intervention to rescue her husband. She claims he has been coerced into military training against his will.

In her letter to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, Begum explained that a Mumbai-based consultancy promised her husband construction employment in Russia. Following this agreement, Ahmed departed India in April 2025 and arrived in Russia.

According to Begum, her husband remained without work for approximately one month before being transported to a remote location where he and 30 others were compelled to undergo weapons training.

"After training, 26 individuals were transported to the border area to engage with Ukrainian forces. While en route, Ahmed jumped from the military vehicle, resulting in a fracture to his right leg. Despite his refusal to participate in combat, he faces threats of either fighting against Ukrainian forces or being killed," she stated.

Begum has implored the government to arrange her husband's immediate repatriation, noting that he is the sole provider for their family, which includes his paralyzed mother, herself, and their two children aged 10 and 4.

In a selfie video reportedly recorded in Russia, Ahmed claimed that of 25 men who trained alongside him, 17 have been killed, including an Indian national.

"I am currently at a border location where active combat is occurring. Four of us Indians refused deployment to the warzone. They threatened us with weapons, placing a gun to my neck and threatening to shoot me and stage it as a drone attack fatality," he recounted.

"My leg is in a cast and I cannot walk. Please hold accountable the agent who sent me here. He entangled me in this situation. I was kept without work for 25 days despite my repeated requests. I was forcibly conscripted under the pretense of legitimate employment in Russia," Ahmed added.

Ahmed's family members, including his wife, approached AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi last week requesting assistance in securing Ahmed's return to Hyderabad.

At the family's request, Owaisi has appealed to both the Foreign Ministry and the Indian Embassy in Russia to facilitate Ahmed's return. In his communication to the embassy, the AIMIM president urged immediate action to ensure Ahmed's safe repatriation.

In response, Tadu Mamu, Counsellor at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, confirmed that they have shared Ahmed's information with Russian authorities and requested his prompt discharge from the Russian Army and safe return to India.

"The Embassy has been prioritizing all cases involving Indian nationals in the Russian Army," the official stated.

The Embassy has committed to keeping the family informed of any developments regarding Ahmed's situation.

Last month, India formally requested Russia to release 27 additional Indian nationals recently recruited into the Russian military.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal announced that New Delhi had become aware of more Indians serving in the Russian military based on information from their families.

"According to our information, 27 Indian nationals are currently serving in the Russian army. We remain in close contact with their family members regarding this matter," he stated on September 26.