On PM Modi's Intervention, Russia Releases Indians Working In Army In War Against Ukraine; Six Youths Return Home

After Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Russia to release Indians working in the Army in the war against Ukraine during his Moscow visit in July, six youths returned to the country on Friday (13 September) morning.

Indian Express reported that the youths were duped by agents into signing contracts in guise of jobs. These contracts will end after three months but they are being released due to PM Modi's intervention.

Those who returned today include Mohammed Sufiyan from Narayanpet district of Telangana and three from Karnataka's Gulbarga – Mohammed Ilyas Sayed Hussaini, Mohammed Samir Ahmed and Naeem Ahmed.

The two other men hail from Kashmir and Kolkata. All of them are in their 20s. Apart from them, at least 55 others, including several Indians, have been released from service, Sufiyan’s brother Saiyed Salman said.

The families of the young men previously stated they were deceived into believing they were applying for helper positions in Russian government offices, only to be sent to the frontlines, endangering their lives.

Sufiyan had left for Russia in December. He had been working at a packing company in Dubai, earning Rs 30,000 per month, before an agent persuaded him to apply for a job in Moscow.

However, he found himself on the frontlines in Ukraine, according to his brother, Saiyed Salman. On 27 February, Sufiyan narrowly escaped death in a drone strike.

Three individuals from Gulbarga, Karnataka, who were also employed at the same Dubai company, followed the agent’s recommendation to apply for jobs in Moscow.

Mohammed Afsan, a resident of Hyderabad who went in November last year, lost his life there, causing alarm among the families. Since then, the Indian government had been trying for bringing the youths back.