Came on visitor visa, were handed guns: Punjab men duped into joining Russian army

The Russia–Ukraine war has dragged on for more than three years, claiming countless lives. Amid the ongoing war, several men from Punjab have alleged that they were tricked by agents and sent to Russia on student or tourist visas and then forcibly recruited into the Russian army to fight on the frontlines.

In a video call with India Today TV, Gursevak Singh from Jalandhar described how he and 14 others were misled into joining the Russian army. “We are stuck on a Russian visit on visitor visa—we have been handed over guns and no training. We don’t even have food to eat. But now time is running out.”

Another man said, “Of the 15 of us, five have died. Eight have already been sent to the frontline, and now six of us are being prepared for deployment. We came here on student visas, but without any training, we were pushed into the army. We request the Modi government to evacuate us.”

The men claim they were lured with promises of jobs abroad but were instead trapped in military camps and forced to fight. They have released videos appealing directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the central government for urgent intervention. Families say the Indian Embassy has been informed, but little action has been taken.

All of them had travelled to Moscow in the past six months. They are now stranded in the Donetsk region, including the town of Selydove, captured by Russia in November 2024.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has raised the issue with Russian authorities in both Moscow and Delhi. An official said, “We once again strongly urge all Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army as this is a course fraught with danger.”

While some remain trapped at the frontline, others’ families struggle even to recover the mortal remains of their loved ones. Parminder Kaur lost her husband Tejpal Singh, who was recruited in January 2024. For two months, he stayed in touch, but in March she got a call from an unknown number informing her of his death. The Indian Embassy in Moscow later confirmed it.

When Parminder travelled to Russia in September, she was told her husband’s body had never been recovered from the war zone. “For one and a half years I’ve been struggling for answers. It was presented as a job, not army recruitment—it was a scam. Many youths are still stuck there,” she said. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla has extended some support, but her search for closure continues.

Pritpal Singh said his nephew Gurmail Singh left two years ago after paying Rs 1 lakh to an agent who promised him courier work abroad. “He got just one salary. After that, nothing. We don’t know if he is alive or dead. We appeal to the government to bring him back,” Pritpal said.

Families of Jagdeep Kumar, Mandeep Kumar, and Gurmail Singh (whose son Budhram Singh is stuck in Russia) say they have received no support from the embassy, the central government, or the Punjab government.

“It took me seven months to even get an FIR registered against the agent. We were even threatened by the local SHO,” one family member recounted.

The men were told they were being taken to Italy, but were instead flown to Russia via the “donkey route.” Each paid nearly Rs 40 lakh. Their last contact was in March 2024.

“My son spoke briefly in April, but after that there has been silence. We don’t know if he is alive. We are losing hope,” said Gurmail Singh.

Pargat Singh, Congress MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment and former Indian hockey captain, has repeatedly raised the issue of young men from Punjab being duped and forced into the Russian army. He has demanded immediate government action to rescue those stranded and punish the agents responsible, stating that “lip service” won’t help.

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