‘Help me before it’s too late’: Jalandhar man trapped in Russia-Ukraine war

Harminder’s ordeal began when he was offered a lucrative job opportunity allegedly for construction work. He was also promised a PR in Russia within a year. Eager to secure a better future, he accepted the offer, unaware of the perilous turn his life was about to take. According to Harminder’s account, upon reaching Russia, he was coerced into joining the Russian army, with little to no regard for his consent.

In his emotional video, Harminder shares his shock and dismay at the turn of events. “The situation is terrifying. I can’t even talk properly. The internet keeps lagging, and I am unable to speak to my family or the authorities. Every day feels like a fight for survival. My life is in danger here, and I need to get out of this war zone immediately,” says Harminder, his voice filled with anguish. “Please help me before it’s too late.”

Gurminder Singh, Harminder’s brother, says, “One of my brother’s friends told him that now the situation in Russia is normal and it is open for all types of work. He told him that work in construction field is available. So my brother accepted the offer and then he was taken to Russia on tourist visa where he was told that this visa would further extended, will be converted to ‘Work Permit’ and he will get PR with in a year’s time.”

He adds that he is not regularly in touch of his brother because he is in remote area. “Whenever he talks to me he describes the dangerous atmosphere around him, with an alarming number of drones flying overhead. The risks of drone strikes, along with constant artillery fire, have placed the lives of everyone in the region in jeopardy. To make matters worse, the communication networks are reportedly unreliable, making it difficult for Harminder to even get in touch with family or authorities back home,” Gurminder says, adding that he has full faith in the Indian government.

In recent years, numerous individuals have fallen victim to similar schemes, being tricked into signing contracts that eventually force them into military service or other dangerous roles in conflict zones. This is a growing concern, as young workers find themselves vulnerable in foreign countries with limited support and protection.