Indian families of men duped into fighting for Russia hopeful after Putin’s promise

One of the 60-year-old Indian national’s sons, Aazad Yousuf Kumar, 31, was among the Indian men who were offered these opportunities, allegedly by Dubai-based employment agency Baba Vlogs. The men ended up being enlisted into the Russian army to fight in the conflict that erupted in February 2022.

Four Indian nationals have lost their lives in the war while 10 have returned home so far, according to New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). A viral video uploaded earlier this year showed several men from the states of Punjab and Haryana in army uniforms claiming they were deceived into fighting in Ukraine and pleading for help.

There are no official figures available but it is believed up to 40 Indians are still stuck in Russia – it is unclear how many of them are involved in the conflict.

Addressing a press conference after the end of Modi’s two-day tour, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra confirmed the deal reached between Modi and Putin, saying the “Russian side promised early discharge of all Indian nationals from the service of the Russian army”.

“I was keenly waiting for some news about Modi raising this issue. And when I heard, I just rushed to my mother to tell her. These last six months have been nothing short of hell for her,” Sajad Yousuf Kumar, Aazad’s 36-year-old brother, said. The family hails from the Pulwama village in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Aazad has yet to see his son, who was born after he left for work in Russia last December to support his family financially, Sajad said.

The family was assured by the Indian foreign ministry that the matter of Aazad’s return, along with other Indians stranded in the Ukraine war, would be highlighted to the Russian authorities, Sajad added.

“Only last