Killed in drone strike, Haryana youth who went to Russia for ‘better life’ cremated

The news has shocked the families of six Haryana youths who remain missing.

According to Sonu’s family, he and Karam were among the seven Indians — including youths from Punjab and Rajasthan — who underwent a 15-day training in August this year.

Sonu’s elder brother Vikas said, “I received a message from a Russian military official on September 19 that Sonu had died in a Ukrainian strike. Other youths who trained with him told us that a drone hit Sonu, while Karam was struck on the shoulder. The two youths from Rajasthan are also missing.”

Former Hisar Lok Sabha MP Brijendra Singh had raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs. On October 24, the ministry informed Singh that the Indian Embassy in Moscow had facilitated the transportation of Karam’s body on October 17.

The ministry also said Sonu’s body was in Rostov, Russia, and would be moved to Moscow for further transportation to India after completing necessary formalities.

The arrival of Sonu’s body has deeply worried Aman’s (24) mother Suman and brother Aashish, who have had no contact with him since October 20. The family said Aman had moved to Russia in July 2024.

Sonu had gone there a month before. Since July 2024, Sonu’s death marks the fourth casualty from Haryana in Russia-Ukraine war.

Aman had earlier failed to secure a position as a constable in the Indian Air Force and faced visa rejections from Australia and Canada. He went to Russia on a study visa, paying `5.5 lakh to a travel agent, and began working for a private company at a salary of `70,000 while studying.

“This year, as his visa neared expiry, someone there lured him with a promise of `2.5 lakh monthly salary and an advance of `10 lakh,” said Aashish. “He was told he’d be working for a security company, but was instead sent for a 15-day army training… he didn’t tell us until after the training was completed.”

Aashish also said, “The last time he spoke to us was on WhatsApp on September 3. On September 19, a Russian official informed us that Aman went missing on September 6.”

Shri Bhagwan, from Rohtak, said his nephew Sandeep has also gone missing. “Sandeep went to Russia in September 2024 on a study visa. His mother sold her gold to arrange `6 lakh for all the expenses.”  Sandeep was earning `90,000 working at a restaurant. “In August, an agent from Ambala in Russia lured him to join the Russian Army with a promise of `2.10 lakh monthly salary and `10 lakh advance… We’ve had no contact with him since October 1,” Sandeep’s uncle said.