Hyderabad: After being trapped in the Russian private army for nine months, Telangana youth Mohammed Sufiyan has returned home to an emotional welcome by his family and friends.
The 22-year-old, who returned along with three youths from Karnataka, said they were treated like slaves. They were all victims of a job scam that deceptively placed them in a private Russian army to fight against Ukraine.
Seven months ago, a video surfaced showing Sufiyan, a resident of Narayanpet town, pleading to be rescued from the Russia-Ukraine war zone. Sufiyan and the others claimed that at least 60 Indian youths were duped by the fraudulent agent, many of whom are still stranded abroad. They had been promised work as security personnel or helpers and were sent to Russia in December 2023. However, once they arrived in Russia, the situation quickly deteriorated.
Sufiyan said they were forced to work 15-hour shifts without rest. They were compelled to dig trenches and fire weapons, including Kalashnikovs like the AK-12 and AK-74, as well as grenades and other explosives.
The youth recounted the death of his close friend Hamil Mangukiya (23) who was killed in a drone attack. “Hamil was part of a team of 24 soldiers, including one Indian and one Nepali. His death shook me up,” Sufiyan said.
Hamil, who hailed from Gujarat, was killed on February 21 in the Donetsk region on Russia-Ukraine border.
It was only after Hamil’s death that Sufiyan and others informed their families of their dire situation. Their families, in turn, reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who helped facilitate their rescue from the war zone.
Russian authorities intervened to cancel Sufiyan’s contract and a week ago he was informed that he would be sent home.
Zahoor Pasha Syed and his wife Naseem could not believe their eyes when Sufiyan returned home safely.
Sufiyan was earlier working in the packing section at Dubai Airport. He came in contact with an online recruiting agent Faisal Khan who promised him a job as security man. After landing in Russia in December 2023, he realized that he was cheated by the agent. He was one of the 12 Indians who were trapped in Russia after being cheated by the agents. However, all were not lucky to survive.
Mohammed Asfan (30) was killed in March. He too was duped into working as a helper for the Russian Army. The mortal remains of Asfan were brought home 10 days after the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his death. Asfan, who was working in a readymade garment shop, was duped by a job agent based in Dubai.
He along with two others went to Moscow via Sharjah in November last year after they were promised jobs of helpers in the Russian army. They were promised Rs.30,000 per month initially. The agent had also told them that they will later get Rs.1.5 lakh.
Asfan’s family grew suspicious after they were unable to contact Asfan. They lodged a complaint with Hyderabad police and later approached AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi.
Owaisi had appealed to the Government of India in February to take steps to bring back 12 Indians who were forced to fight Ukraine alongside the Russian Army.
They included two youth from Telangana, three from Karnataka, two from Kashmir and one each from Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.
