Medico from Cuddalore, ‘arrested’ in Russia, sends frantic message saying he was being forcibly sent to Ukraine war front; family seeks govt help

The last time Kishore Saravanan’s family heard from him was when he sent them a frantic voice message about being forcibly sent to the warfront in Ukraine. The 22-year-old from Palayamkottai in Cuddalore district had gone to Russia to pursue MBBS.

He was previously arrested by the Russian police in 2023 in an alleged drug case, according to his family.

Kishore’s father, J. Saravanan, said his son had sent a voice message on July 12, saying the Russian government had forcibly enlisted him to fight against Ukraine.

“I could not contact him on his phone, and his friends informed me that he was taken away by the Russian police. Though my son refused to join the Russian army, he was beaten and forced to sign a few documents. He was also given a Russian identity card and passport,” Mr. Saravanan told The Hindu.

Kishore’s family has urged the Union government to ensure his safe return.

“Kishore was reportedly given training for 10 days, and is now being taken to the conflict zone. Though we contacted the Indian Embassy in Russia seeking assistance, there has been no response,” Mr. Saravanan said.

He said Kishore, a third-year MBBS student at Volgograd State Medical University, was arrested on May 4, 2023.

“Kishore worked part-time in an online parcel service company, and was arrested with his Indian roommate and two Russians by after drugs were found in a parcel meant for delivery. The police were trying to force him to confess to the crime, but he refused to do so. We can’t contact him now, and there is no information on his whereabouts. We don’t know whether he is still alive or not,” he said.

When contacted, Cuddalore Collector Sibi Adhithya Senthil Kumar said the State government had escalated the issue, and the Ministry of External Affairs was in touch with the Indian Embassy. There had been no update so far, he said.

VCK president and Chidambaram MP Thol. Thirumavalavan urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to intervene and ensure Kishore’s safe return.

MDMK principal secretary and Tiruchi MP Durai Vaiko also sought the Centre’s intervention.

In a letter to Mr. Jaishankar, Mr. Vaiko urged him to take up the issue with the Russian government at the highest level.