Indians Conned Into Joining Russia-Ukraine War Return Home: 'Woke Up Everyday Thinking It Would Be Our Last'

About seven months after a video of him pleading for rescue from the Russia-Ukraine border surfaced, Telangana native Mohammad Sufiyan returned home to a warm welcome on Friday.

The 22-year-old was accompanied by three young men from Karnataka, all victims of a fraudulent agent who tricked them into joining a private Russian army to fight in Ukraine, reported Times of India.

Photo Credit: PTI

The men revealed that at least 60 Indian youths were deceived by this job scam, with many still stranded abroad. They were sent out of India in December 2023, under the false promise of jobs as security personnel or helpers in Russia. However, their reality turned grim upon arrival.

Harsh Conditions and Forced Labour

"We were treated like slaves," said Sufiyan, recounting his ordeal after landing in Hyderabad. He described being woken up at 6 am daily and forced to work for 15 hours straight without rest. The conditions were brutal, with minimal food and severe physical strain.

"Our hands were blistered, backs ached, and spirits broken," he added.

The assignments they undertook were grueling. They had to dig trenches and handle assault rifles. They received training on using Kalashnikovs like the AK-12 and AK-74, along with hand grenades and other explosives. The toughest part was staying disconnected from the outside world.

Isolation and Psychological Toll

Sufiyan and his companions never knew their exact location or destination and were not allowed to communicate with their families back in India.

"Our mobile phones were seized. For months during the training, I could not talk to my family," said Abdul Nayeem from Karnataka, fighting back tears.

The psychological impact of living in an alien war zone was immense. Syed Ilias Hussaini from Kalaburagi described the constant fear of being caught in crossfire and the pressure to perform under life-threatening conditions.

"Every day we woke up not knowing if it would be our last," he said.

Enduring Trauma and Loss

The sight of fellow "soldiers" dying added to their trauma. Sufiyan recalled how his friend Hamil from Gujarat was killed in a drone attack.

"Hamil's death shook me up," he said. It was only after this incident that they informed their families about their situation, prompting them to seek help from Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

The men coped by praying and imagining a day when they would return home safely. "We longed for the comfort of our families and the safety of our homes," Sufiyan said, holding onto his brother Mohammad Salman at the airport.

Despite the harrowing experiences, Sufiyan expressed relief at being back home. "I am glad to be able to see this day," he said, reflecting on his journey back from the warzone.