Moga (Punjab): A shocking case has surfaced from Punjab’s Moga district where a 25-year-old youth, who went to Russia last year on a student visa to pursue a language course, has now found himself “deceitfully recruited” into the Russian Army and pushed into the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. His family has now approached the Centre, seeking urgent intervention for his safe return.
The youth, Buta Singh, hails from Chak Kanian Kalan village in Moga. His sister, Karamjit Kaur, said on Tuesday that Singh had travelled to Moscow in October 2024 through a travel agent, who promised him admission to a language course and assured that he could also do part-time jobs to support himself. To fund his trip, the family even sold a piece of their agricultural land.
However, Kaur said the family was shocked to discover only a week ago—through viral videos on social media—that Singh and several other Indian youths had been trapped and forcibly recruited into the Russian Army. In the video, the men claimed they had initially gone on student visas but were tricked, handed over weapons, and ordered to fight in the war zone.
One of the men in the video could be heard pleading: “We appeal to the Government of India to rescue us. Our lives are in grave danger here.”
Karamjit Kaur further revealed that the family’s last contact with Singh was through a WhatsApp voice message on September 11. Singh’s father works as a daily wage labourer, while his mother looks after livestock to sustain the family. The family has since written to the Union Government, urging immediate steps to secure Singh’s release and safe return.
Meanwhile, political voices have also begun pressing the matter. Congress leader Pargat Singh has demanded urgent action from the Centre, alleging that at least 111 men from North India have been similarly deceived and recruited into the Russian Army, with at least 15 currently missing.
Senior Congress leaders Kumari Selja and Randeep Singh Surjewala had also raised concerns last week, citing the cases of two Haryana youths—23-year-old Ankit Jangra and 25-year-old Vijay Poonia from Fatehabad—who too were lured on student visas and then pushed into combat zones.
Jangra, in a video call with his brother Raghuvir, revealed shocking details. He said that upon reaching Moscow, an Indian woman misled them with promises of a lucrative security job that would pay ₹2.5 lakh per month after three months of training. They were made to sign contracts written in Russian—a language they could not understand. Soon after, they were given military uniforms, provided basic training, and deployed to the Ukrainian border.
Amid mounting concerns, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday strongly cautioned Indian citizens against falling for such offers. The ministry confirmed that it had taken up the matter with Russian authorities in both New Delhi and Moscow, demanding that the practice of recruiting Indians into Russian military units be stopped immediately.
The MEA also reiterated its advisory, warning Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian Army, stressing that such roles carry “inherent risks and dangers” in the ongoing conflict.
This unfolding situation has highlighted a disturbing trend where unsuspecting Indian youths—primarily from rural and economically weaker backgrounds—are being exploited and dragged into a war they never signed up for. Families across North India are now waiting anxiously for the government to act and bring their loved ones back home safely.