An Indian citizen reportedly fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine has surrendered to the Ukrainian military, Kyiv claimed on Tuesday. The 63rd Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Army shared a video on its official Telegram channel showing a man in custody.
Indian Citizen Fighting with Russian Forces Surrenders to Ukrainian Army
The man identified himself as Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein. In the video, which lasts one minute and 45 seconds, he claims to be a 22-year-old from Morbi, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat. Mr. Hussein wears a red T-shirt and speaks in Russian, explaining how he became involved in the conflict.
The Ukrainian military said that Mr. Hussein told them he joined the fight in Ukraine after Russian authorities convicted him on drug charges. The military added that he shared his story voluntarily and accused Moscow of actively recruiting foreigners into its army. In its Telegram post, the Ukrainian military wrote that Hussein “studied in Russia, but got caught with drugs. And in order not to go to prison, he went to war.”
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This revelation highlights the complex situations faced by Indian citizens and other foreign nationals caught up in the Russia-Ukraine war. The Ukrainian military’s video has sparked attention internationally, raising questions about recruitment practices and the circumstances under which foreigners join the Russian military.
Verification Process Underway by New Delhi
So far, there has been no official statement from the Government of India regarding the surrender of Mr. Hussein. Sources told the Hindustan Times that the Indian embassy in Kyiv is working to verify the authenticity of the video. As of Tuesday, New Delhi had not received any formal communication from Ukrainian authorities.
India has previously raised concerns about Russian forces recruiting its citizens. Last month, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said it had “strongly urged” Moscow to release and repatriate 27 Indian citizens who are serving with Russian forces.
In September, the ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said that families had recently informed Indian authorities that Russian forces were recruiting more Indian citizens. “We have taken up the matter vigorously with our mission in Russia and with the authorities in Moscow, urging them to release our nationals and bring them back at the earliest,” he stated.
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Officials in New Delhi estimate that Russian forces have recruited over 150 Indian citizens since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Among these recruits, at least 12 have died, 96 have been discharged, and 16 remain missing.
The situation has prompted repeated warnings from Indian authorities about foreign recruitment. Mr. Jaiswal emphasized the risks of “temptations or employment opportunities” that might encourage Indian citizens to join the Russian army.
High-Level Diplomatic Talks on Indian Citizens Abroad
The matter of Indian citizens serving in the Russian military has also been discussed at the highest levels. Last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns regarding the recruitment of Indian citizens during his visit to Moscow.
On Tuesday, Mr. Modi called Russian President Vladimir Putin to wish him on his birthday. During the call, they discussed ongoing cooperation and reaffirmed the “special and privileged strategic partnership” between the two countries. Indian officials stated that Mr. Modi also expressed his anticipation of welcoming Mr. Putin to India for a summit scheduled in early December.
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These diplomatic exchanges indicate that the Indian government continues to closely monitor the situation of its Indian citizens abroad, particularly in conflict zones. Authorities have not yet issued an official response regarding Mr. Hussein’s surrender, but they are actively working to confirm the details and provide assistance if needed.
The video showing Mr. Hussein in Ukrainian custody starkly reminds viewers of the complex circumstances that Indian citizens and other foreign nationals face in war zones. It also highlights the continuing concerns of the Indian government for the safety and welfare of its citizens abroad, particularly those whom Russian forces may have recruited or coerced into military service.