In a bizarre and tragic incident, an Indian man planning to travel to Italy found himself in Russia, eventually being forced to join the Russian military efforts in Ukraine. This case is not isolated, as several other Indian nationals have faced similar situations, lured by promises of high-paying jobs and secure futures only to find themselves in the middle of a war zone.
Highlights:
- Victim: Mandeep Kumar
- Destination Intended: Italy
- Actual Destination: Russia
- Current Status: Conscripted into the Russian military
- Government Action: Indian authorities are working on repatriation efforts
Deeper Look
Initial Incident: Mandeep Kumar, the Indian man in question, was duped by a travel agent who misled him about his destination and the nature of his job in Russia.
Similar Cases: Multiple reports have surfaced of Indian nationals being tricked into joining the Russian military. For instance:
- Asfan’s Story: Asfan was promised a high salary and permanent residency in Russia after six months by a Dubai-based recruiting agency. He was forcibly deployed to the front lines in Ukraine, and his family was later notified of his death (Ref).
- Hamil Mangukiya: Mangukiya, from Gujarat, was offered a security guard job but was sent to the front lines instead. He was killed in the Donetsk region (Ref).
- Aazad Yusuf Kumar: Kumar, from Jammu and Kashmir, was promised a hotel housekeeping job but ended up receiving military training and was sent to the battlefield (Ref. 1) (Ref. 2).
Recruitment Tactics: Recruiters, like Faisal Khan who runs the Baba Vlogs YouTube channel, have used social media to lure Indians with false promises of non-combatant roles in the Russian army, offering salaries and the prospect of permanent residency. These tactics have led to many being deployed to combat zones without their knowledge or consent (Ref. 1) (Ref. 2).
Government Response: The Indian government is actively working to secure the discharge of its citizens trapped in these situations, with efforts ongoing to bring them back home safely. Approximately 20 individuals are currently known to be stuck in such circumstances (Ref).