‘Treated Like Slaves’: Four Indians Scammed into Joining Russian Army Return Home

Four Indian nationals returned home after being scammed into joining a private Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine war. They described being treated like slaves, with many still trapped in Russia. Their families sought help from India's External Affairs Minister, leading to their rescue.

Four Indian nationals, who were tricked into joining a private Russian army to fight against Ukraine, have returned to India, sharing harrowing stories of their ordeal. They were part of a group of around 60 men who had been fraudulently recruited under the guise of job offers in Russia, only to be forcibly drafted into the Russia-Ukraine war.

One of the returnees, Mohammad Sufiyan from Telangana, released a video plea for help seven months ago. Along with three others from Karnataka, Sufiyan described their experience of being treated like slaves, forced to work 15-hour days in inhumane conditions with minimal rations.

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Many of those recruited are still trapped in Russia, forced to serve as soldiers. The men were promised jobs as security personnel but were instead trained to operate assault rifles and explosives. Sufiyan recounted the physical and mental toll, with constant fear of death and traumatic experiences such as the loss of a friend in a drone attack.

Their families alerted India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, who facilitated their rescue, but others remain in dire conditions, awaiting help.