Majoti Sahil Mahmad Husen, a 22-year-old Indian from Morbi, Gujarat, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces while serving with the Russian military, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
A video released by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanised Brigade showed Husen announcing his surrender on the frontlines, saying he “did not want to fight” and needed help to escape.
Reason behind his surrender
In the video, Husen said he never intended to participate in combat and had been waiting for an opportunity to surrender.
“I came across a Ukrainian trench position about two to three kilometres away. I immediately put down my rifle and said that I didn’t want to fight. I needed help. I don’t want to go back to Russia,” he stated.
How Husen ended up in the Russian army
According to Gujarat Police, Hussein had travelled to Moscow for higher studies but was later sentenced to seven years in prison on drug-related charges.
To avoid jail time, he was reportedly offered a chance to enlist in the Russian military. He accepted, hoping to eventually surrender and reach Ukrainian territory.
India’s response and ongoing concerns
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has yet to issue an official statement but is verifying the video’s authenticity. Last month, the ministry urged Russia to release and repatriate 27 Indian nationals currently serving in its army.
The Ukrainian forces, meanwhile, accused Russia of “actively recruiting foreigners” to bolster its ranks amid the prolonged conflict.
[…] Court on Monday, directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to take swift action to bring back Sahil Mahamad Husen, 23-year-old Indian man who ended up in the Russian […]