Four Indian citizens returned home on Friday after being fraudulently drafted into a private Russian army and forced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, according to The Times of India.
Among them was Mohammad Sufiyan from Telangana, who had posted a video seven months ago pleading for help. He, along with three others from Karnataka, fell victim to a job scam that ensnared around 60 young Indian men.
Many remain stranded in Russia, awaiting rescue, still serving as soldiers in the conflict. Lured by promises of security or helper jobs, these men accepted offers and were sent to Russia in December 2023, only to face a harsh reality upon arrival.
“We were treated like slaves,” Sufiyan told TOI. “We were woken up at 6 am and made to work 15 hours straight, with no rest or sleep. The conditions were inhumane,” he added. The men endured grueling tasks with barely enough food to survive.
Once drafted, they were forced to dig trenches and handle assault rifles. They were trained to use Kalashnikovs like the AK-12 and AK-74, hand grenades, and other explosives. “Our hands were blistered, our backs ached, and our spirits were broken. If we showed any signs of exhaustion, they fired bullets at us to make us continue,” Sufiyan told TOI.
In addition to the physical hardships, they faced the psychological strain of being cut off from the world. Their phones were confiscated, leaving them uncertain of when they would return or speak to their families again. Syed Ilias Hussaini from Karnataka, who was also rescued, said fear became a constant companion as they never knew how long they would survive.
Amid the constant gunfire, they found solace in the thought of returning home. Yet, both Sufiyan and Hussaini remain haunted by the trauma of witnessing deaths and enduring high-pressure situations. Sufiyan recalls the death of his close friend, Hamil, from Gujarat, who was killed in a drone attack. Hamil had been part of a 24-soldier team that included one Indian and one Nepali soldier, and his death deeply affected Sufiyan.
Hamil’s death prompted them to alert their families, who reached out to India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, who ultimately facilitated their rescue.
