Indian Soldiers Duped into Fighting for Russia
Last week, the Indian government announced that Russia had released dozens of the 91 Indian soldiers who had been tricked into fighting for Russian forces in the country’s war against Ukraine. Several of them have since returned home, while the process to repatriate others is ongoing.
The Recruitment Process
The 91 Indian soldiers were mostly from poor families and were lured by agents with promises of money and jobs, sometimes as “assistants” in the Russian army. However, they were instead sent to the war zone, where they faced landmines, drones, missiles, and sniper attacks with little to no military training.
Indian Government’s Response
Nine Indians have died in the conflict. In response, Indian authorities have arrested 19 individuals suspected of human trafficking. In July, Russia promised to release all Indian soldiers in its army after a visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who raised the issue with President Vladimir Putin.
Russian Discharge and Travel Home
Forty-five of the Indian soldiers have been discharged since the promise was made. Some have returned home safely, while others, like Sunil Karwa, are on their way. Karwa described his experience in the war zone, where he witnessed death and destruction firsthand.
Recruitment of Blue-Collar Workers
Most of the recruits were blue-collar workers aged between 19 and 35 who were hired by agents in India, Dubai, and Russia. They signed contracts in Russian, a language they did not understand, in the hope of securing better opportunities.
Traumatic Experiences
Raja Pathan, who joined the army as a last resort, was released in August with the help of a sympathetic Russian commander. He now resides in Moscow and assists other Indians in escaping the country. Mohammad Sufyan, who returned to India in September, carries the trauma of his frontline experiences, including witnessing the death of his friend.
Effects of the War
Azad Yusuf Kumar, who accidentally shot himself during training, feels fortunate to have avoided going to the frontline, where four of his campmates died. The recent discharges have brought relief to many, but those still in Russia face increasing despair as their release is delayed. Urgen Tamang, one of the trapped soldiers, expressed his distrust in the process after being sent to the frontline despite signing his discharge letter.
International Perspective
Russia and Ukraine recently exchanged 206 prisoners. The Ukraine war has sparked concerns about the use of Western weapons against Russia and the possibility of Ukraine’s defeat in 2024.
