Russia-Ukraine War: Gujarati Student Forced into Russian Army, Sends SOS Video from Ukraine

A distressing video has recently emerged featuring an Indian student, Sahil Mohammed Hussain from Morbi,. Gujarat, who has made an emotional appeal to the Indian government for his safe return home. Sahil had traveled to Russia on a student visa with the aspiration of pursuing higher education. However, his academic journey took an unexpected and perilous turn. When he was allegedly forced to join the Russian army. In the video, released from Ukraine, Sahil recounts his ordeal and pleads for immediate intervention from the Indian government.

Coercion into Military Service

Sahil Mohammed Hussain arrived in Russia in 2024 to further his studies. While in Russia, he took up a part-time job with a courier company to manage his financial and visa-related challenges. His life as a typical student was disrupted when he came into contact with certain Russians who were later found to be involved in drug trafficking. Sahil claims he was falsely implicated in a drug case, an accusation that drastically altered the course of his life. He vehemently asserts his innocence, stating he did nothing wrong, yet found himself facing grave charges. According to Sahil, after being falsely accused in the drug case, Russian police presented him with a grim choice. He was threatened with imprisonment if he refused to serve in the Russian army. Under immense pressure and hoping to clear his name from the fabricated charges, Sahil accepted the offer to join the Russian military. He revealed that at least 700 other individuals in Russia were also jailed on drug charges and were given the option to join the Russian army to have their charges dropped. This created a situation where students and others were compelled to choose between their freedom and potentially their lives, caught in a coercive system.

Frontline Deployment and Surrender

Upon joining the Russian army, Sahil Mohammed Hussain underwent a mere 15 days of training. Immediately following this brief period, he was deployed directly to the frontline of the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. This placed him in an extremely dangerous situation, facing enemy forces, while however, upon reaching the frontline, Sahil made a courageous decision. He immediately surrendered to the Ukrainian army. This act was a desperate attempt to save his life. And avoid participating in a war he was unwillingly drawn into.

SOS Video from Ukraine and Appeal to India

After being apprehended by Ukrainian forces, Sahil Mohammed Hussain is currently being held in Ukraine. From there, he recorded a video message, appearing in an olive green jacket, in which he makes an emotional plea to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his safe repatriation. He also issued a stark warning to other Indian youths, urging them to be cautious of fraudsters in Russia who might entrap them in false drug cases and force them into military service, while ukrainian authorities have also shared this video with Sahil's mother in Gujarat, requesting her to spread awareness about the deceptive recruitment of Indians into the Russian army.

Mother's Legal Battle and Government's Intervention

Sahil's mother has filed a petition in a Delhi court seeking her son's safe return, with the next hearing scheduled for February, offering a glimmer of hope for the family, while the Indian government is also taking this matter seriously. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated on December 5 that India is actively working to secure the release of its citizens who have joined the Russian armed forces. He also issued a warning against any further recruitment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also raised this critical issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his state visit, emphasizing the ongoing joint efforts to ensure the swift release of Indian citizens from the Russian army. This demonstrates the Indian government's proactive engagement in ensuring the safety and return of its citizens, especially in such sensitive cases where they've been unwillingly drawn into conflict.