A man from Hyderabad, Mohammad Ahmed, who travelled to Russia earlier this year for a construction job, has found himself caught in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine war. In a shocking video message, Ahmed claimed he was tricked by an agent and is now being forced to fight on the frontlines at gunpoint.
Ahmed, a 37-year-old resident of Telangana, had gone to Russia in April after being offered employment by a Mumbai-based consultancy that promised him a construction job. However, soon after his arrival, he alleged that he was sent to a military training camp and later coerced into joining Russian forces in the ongoing war.
“They Put a Gun to My Neck,” Says Ahmed
In a video recorded from an undisclosed location in Russia, Ahmed described the terrifying situation he and other recruits are facing. “Out of the 25 people who were trained with me, 17 have died — one of them was also an Indian. We’re at the border, and the war is going on. Four of us Indians refused to fight, but they pointed guns at us. They held a gun to my neck and said they would shoot me and claim that a drone killed me,” he said, visibly distressed.
Calling for justice, Ahmed added, “I have a plaster on my leg; I can’t even walk properly. Please don’t forgive that agent who trapped me here. He made false promises, kept me jobless for 25 days, and instead of giving me a construction job, forced me into this war zone.”
Family’s Plea to the Indian Government
Back home in Hyderabad, Ahmed’s wife, Afsha Begum, has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, pleading for help to rescue her husband. She said her husband was the sole breadwinner of their family, which includes their two young children and Ahmed’s paralyzed mother. “My husband went to Russia with the hope of earning a better living. Now he’s being forced to fight in a war. Please bring him back,” she wrote.
Owaisi and Indian Embassy Intervene
Ahmed’s family has also approached AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, seeking assistance in securing his release. Owaisi has written to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow, urging immediate action. “Ahmed’s life is in danger. The government must ensure his safe return to India,” Owaisi stated in his letter.
Responding to the situation, Indian Embassy Counsellor in Moscow, Tadu Mamu, said that the embassy has shared Ahmed’s details with Russian authorities and requested his prompt release from the military. “We are closely monitoring all cases involving Indian nationals in the Russian army and are in contact with their families,” Mamu confirmed.
27 Indians Already Recruited into Russian Army
This case comes weeks after India urged Moscow to release 27 Indian citizens reportedly forced into service with the Russian military. According to the Ministry of External Affairs, these citizens were allegedly recruited for non-military jobs but later sent to combat zones.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had earlier said, “We are aware that at least 27 Indian nationals are working with the Russian army. Their families have contacted us, and we are in close touch with Russian authorities to ensure their safety.”
As Ahmed’s ordeal highlights the growing concern over Indian nationals being lured abroad with fake job offers, the government has reiterated its warning against unauthorized recruiters sending workers to conflict zones.
-
-
-
-
