Indian Student Captured In Ukraine Warns Against Joining Russian Army, Seeks Help From Govt

Last Updated:December 21, 2025, 23:28 IST

Gujarat student Sahil Hussain said he was trapped into joining the Russian Army after false drug charges and appealed to India for help after capture in Ukraine

Sahil Mohammad Hussain hails from Morbi district

A Gujarat man, who travelled to Russia on a student visa, has appealed to Indians not to join the Russian military under any circumstances. In a video message recorded after his capture by Ukrainian forces, he said he was forced into military service after being threatened with a false drugs case.

The student, Sahil Mohammad Hussain hails from Morbi district in Gujarat, shared his message through videos released by Ukrainian authorities. He said he had gone to Russia for higher studies and was working part-time for a courier company to support himself.

According to Hussain, he was falsely accused by Russian police in a narcotics case. He claimed officials offered to drop the charges if he agreed to join the Russian Army. Facing pressure, he said he accepted the deal to avoid jail.

In one of the videos, Hussain requested help from the Indian government for his safe return. “President Vladimir Putin was in India recently. I would like to request the government to speak to Putin for my safe return home," he said.

He also described how he was given just 15 days of training before being sent to the frontline. Hussain said that once he reached the combat zone, he surrendered immediately to Ukrainian forces.

“The first thing I did on reaching the frontline was surrender," he said, adding that Ukrainian soldiers later contacted his mother in Gujarat and urged her to spread awareness about Indians being misled into military service.

Hussain’s mother has since filed a petition in a Delhi court seeking her son’s safe return. The matter is scheduled to be heard again in February.

In another video, Hussain explained how his troubles began. “I came to Russia for studies in 2024. But due to financial and visa issues, I came in touch with some Russians who turned out to be in narcotics… I have not done anything. At least 700 people were jailed by Russia on drugs charges. But the jail authorities gave them a choice of getting the charges dropped by joining the Russian military," he said.

Expressing fear and uncertainty, he warned other young Indians, saying, “I feel hopeless. I don’t know what will happen. But I do have a message for young people who are coming to Russia, ‘be careful’. There are many scamsters here who can falsely implicate you in a drug case."

“I would like to appeal to the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, please help," he added.

On December 5, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said India is actively working to bring back Indian citizens who have joined the Russian armed forces. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Our concerted efforts continue on a regular basis to secure the early release of Indian citizens from the Russian Army," Misri said, adding that Indians should be extremely cautious about accepting any offers to join the Russian military.

Meanwhile, families of several Indians stranded in Russia have been holding protests, demanding government intervention to bring their relatives home safely.

News world Indian Student Captured In Ukraine Warns Against Joining Russian Army, Seeks Help From Govt

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