The Dark Reality of Recruitment Deception for the Russian Frontline
A group of men assert that they were deceived into enlisting in the Russian military and subsequently deployed to participate in Russia's conflict with Ukraine, according to reports.
In the midst of escalating worries regarding Indians allegedly being misled into joining the Russian military to partake in its conflict with Ukraine, tragic news has emerged of a Hyderabad man reportedly losing his life on the war front in Russia. Adding to the distress, a disturbing video has surfaced on social media featuring seven individuals from Punjab appealing for governmental assistance, asserting they were deceived into military enlistment in Russia. The video depicts the men gathered in a dimly lit room, attired in what appears to be military attire.
According to NDTV, this group of men has come forward with allegations of being deceived into joining the Russian military and subsequently dispatched to engage in combat in Russia's war on Ukraine.
On the microblogging platform X, a circulating video captures the sight of seven men clad in military-style winter jackets adorned with hoods or caps. While six individuals huddle in a corner, the seventh, identified as 19-year-old Harsh from Karnal in Haryana, takes charge, recording a video message to elucidate their predicament and appeal for assistance.
The men embarked on their journey to Russia on December 27, with the intention of celebrating the New Year in the country. Armed with a 90-day visa for their Russian trip, they eventually crossed into neighbouring Belarus.
In the video, Harsh said, ‘An agent offered to take us to Belarus…we were not aware we needed a visa. When we went to Belarus (without a visa), the agent asked us for more money and then abandoned us. The police caught us and handed us over to Russian authorities, who made us sign documents.’ Harsh asserted that they are now being coerced by the Russian authorities to participate in the war against Ukraine.
According to the NDTV report, Harsh's family stated that he had pursued opportunities for overseas employment. Allegedly, he was advised that the immigration process to a country of his preference would be more straightforward if he chose to transit through Russia.
His mother stated, ‘My son went abroad on December 23. He went in search of work and was caught in Russia, where his passport was snatched away. He told us they had been caught by Russian soldiers who threatened him with 10 years of jail and recruited him. He said he was forced to do military training.’
Harsh's sibling asserted that he underwent weapons training and was dispatched to the Donetsk region. He expressed uncertainty about Harsh's current status, stating that it is ‘difficult to say if he will be alive now or not’.
Similarly, the brother of another individual featured in the video, presumed to be Gurpreet Singh, issued an appeal for assistance. He disclosed that they were compelled to sign documents in the Russian language while in Belarus.
Gurpreet Singh’s brother Amrit Singh said, ‘They were forced to join the army there since the documents which they signed in Belarus were in the Russian language. It said they accept imprisonment for 10 years or join the Russian Army.’
Dependent on Russia for both political and economic support, Belarus is widely acknowledged as one of Moscow's closest allies. In February 2022, the Kremlin strategically used Belarusian territory as a launching point for its invasion of Ukraine.
Approximately two dozen Indian men are reported to be either stranded in Russia or deployed on the frontlines of the war, allegedly deceived into active military service according to their claims.
The government acknowledged last month that some Indians had become entangled in Russia's conflict with Ukraine. It assured that efforts were underway, collaborating with Moscow, to facilitate the release of these individuals.
A spokesman for the government said, ‘We are aware…the Indian embassy has taken up their early discharge with the relevant Russian authorities. We urge all Indians to stay away from this conflict.’
In the preceding month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that, in response to India's request, numerous Indians serving as support staff for the Russian Army were released. This action followed reports indicating that some Indians were employed by the Russian military and purportedly compelled to engage in combat along the country's borders with Ukraine.