Kyiv/ New Delhi: Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanised Brigade has claimed that it has captured an Indian national allegedly fighting for Russian forces, according to a report by The Kyiv Independent. The man, identified as Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, a 22-year-old from Morbi, Gujarat, is said to have entered Russia on a student visa before being imprisoned on drug-related charges.

Indian student allegedly enlisted after prison sentence

According to the Ukrainian brigade, Hussein was sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison on drug charges before being offered a deal – to join the Russian military in exchange for his freedom. In a video released by the brigade and circulated widely on X, Hussein says he accepted the offer after being promised an early release.

“I didn’t want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract for the ‘special military operation’,” Hussein says in the video, referring to Russia’s term for its invasion of Ukraine. “But I wanted to get out of there,” he added.

Hussein claimed he underwent around 16 days of basic military training before being sent to the frontlines on October 1. After three days of combat, he says he voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian forces. 

“I came across a Ukrainian trench position about 2–3 kilometres away,” he recounts in the footage. “I immediately put down my rifle and said that I didn’t want to fight. I needed help.”

Claims of unpaid promises and desire not to return to Russia

The captured Indian national alleged that he was never given the financial compensation promised to him by the Russian authorities. Expressing his unwillingness to return, he said, “There is no truth there, nothing. I’d rather go to prison here (in Ukraine).”

The video, verified by Ukrainian media outlets, appears to echo past reports of Indian and Nepali citizens being misled or coerced into signing military contracts with Russia. Many were reportedly lured under the pretext of education or employment, only to be sent to the war front.

MEA verifying the report

Responding to the report, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is working to confirm the authenticity of the claims. A government source cited by News18 stated, “As of now, no official communication has been received from the Ukrainian side.”

The Indian Embassy in Kyiv is reportedly in touch with Ukrainian authorities to ascertain the facts surrounding Hussein’s capture.

Previous cases of Indians fighting for Russia

Official figures from the MEA show that at least 12 Indian nationals have died while fighting on Russia’s side since the war began in 2022, with 16 others still missing. Around 96 Indians have been repatriated so far.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow in July 2024, New Delhi said it had pressed Russia to discharge all Indian nationals misled into military service. Moscow later promised to release such recruits.