A 22-year-old student from Gujarat’s Morbi district has sent an SOS message from Ukraine, alleging that he was coerced into joining the Russian Army after being falsely implicated in a narcotics case. Sahil Mohammad Hussain shared his ordeal through video messages released by Ukrainian authorities, appealing to the Indian government to intervene and ensure his safe return home.
Hussain said he travelled to Russia in 2024 to pursue higher studies and was working part-time with a courier company to support himself financially. However, visa complications and mounting expenses made his stay difficult, leaving him vulnerable, he claimed.
‘Join The Army Or Go To Jail’
According to Hussain, Russian police accused him of involvement in a drugs case despite his repeated claims of innocence. “They told me the case would be dropped if I joined the Russian Army,” he said in the video. Facing the threat of imprisonment, he said he accepted the offer to avoid jail.
Hussain alleged that after just around 15 days of military training, he was deployed to the frontline in Ukraine. “The first thing I did when I reached the frontline was surrender to the Ukrainian Army,” he added.
Warning To Indian Youth
In another video message, Hussain claimed that his experience was not unique. He alleged that at least 700 people had been jailed in Russia on narcotics charges and were later given the option of having their cases dropped if they agreed to join the military.
“I feel hopeless. I don’t know what will happen,” Hussain said, urging young Indians to be cautious while travelling to Russia. “There are many scammers here who can falsely implicate you in a drug case,” he warned.
Mother Moves Delhi Court
The Ukrainian military later forwarded Hussain’s video messages to his mother in Gujarat and urged her to raise awareness about Indians being deceived into military service. She has since filed a petition in a Delhi court seeking her son’s safe return. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February.
The Indian government has acknowledged concerns over Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces under suspicious circumstances. On December 5, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India is actively working to secure the release of its citizens while also urging caution to prevent further recruitment. “I appeal to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please help,” Hussain said in his plea.