‘After PM Modi went back, I am being asked to go to frontline’: Punjab man in Russian army

Gagandeep Singh is among the many Indians who claimed that they were inducted into the Russian army against their will; President Vladimir Putin had agreed for the release of Indian nationals who wished to return to India following discussions with PM Modi.

Indians who were promised jobs as helpers in Russia government offices but were sent to the frontlines of the war with Ukraine. (Express Photo)

Days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Indians fighting in the Russian army against Ukraine during his visit to Russia, a man from Punjab said on Friday his hopes to return home had been dashed as he has been asked to return to the frontline.

Gagandeep Singh from Punjab’s Gurdaspur is among the many men from India who have claimed that they were inducted into the Russian army against their will and forced to fight.

Though Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to the release of Indian nationals who wished to return to India following discussions with PM Modi, Gagandeep Singh said his commander denied getting any orders from the government for their release. “After PM Modi went back, now the whole unit is going to the frontline, and I have also been told to join the unit. I request the Indian government to talk to Russia and arrange our visit back to India,” he said from a camp where he is recovering from a knee injury.

Singh could talk to The Indian Express as he was sent back from the frontline due to the injury and he had access to the internet while in the camp.

“Here all the officers know about the announcement made by Putin that we will be released. We were earlier informed that we would be sent back home,” Singh said, mentioning PM Modi’s visit to Russia earlier in the week when he raised the issue of Indian men being recruited into the Russian army.

Singh said his Indian friends from his unit are already on the frontline, adding that three of them had made a brief visit one by one to their camp which is at a secure place.

“My friends told me that the situation is very serious at the frontline. One man from Uttar Pradesh was on the frontline. He came back last night and narrated the horrific conditions at the frontline. I have not been able to talk to my Punjabi friends for many days as they are all on the frontline. They have been sending maximum force to the frontline,” said Singh.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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