‘After PM Modi’s visit, they told us we will be released’: Fighting for Russia, youth from Punjab hopes to return home

How did you land in the Russian Army?

I was trying to get a visa to go to England but I failed. Someone advised me to create a travel history to increase my chances of getting an England visa so I visited Russia as a tourist. Here, I met some other Punjabi youth and we became friends. We celebrated New Year together. Then, we met a Punjabi taxi driver who suggested a trip to Belarus. He told us that no visa was required to visit Belarus and took us there. He took around 100 dollars each from the seven of us. He started demanding more money from us and we fought. He left us in the middle of the road. Then, the police spotted us and said that a visa was required. The police kept us in custody for three days and handed us over to the Russian Army.

How were you recruited into the Russian Army?

We did not want to join, they forced us. They only gave us seven days’ training. We had told them that we did not want to join the Army but they recruited us and deployed us on the frontlines in the war with Ukraine.

What is the situation on the ground?

The situation is critical. Many have suffered injuries. When a person dies in the war, often the dead bodies are not recovered. Animals feed on such bodies.

Where are you deployed?

I cannot disclose the location. I suffered an injury and I was sent back 35 km. There is another youth from Punjab whose arm has been badly injured. My friends are still on the front lines. I was called back due to my injury but was still sent to the front lines for brief periods.

Do you want to stay or come back?

We want to be rescued from here because there is no chance we will survive this war. We had come here as tourists. How can we lose our lives in this war?

Are you aware of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia?

Yes. We are aware that Prime Minister Narendra Modi talked to Russian President Vladimir Putin and asked for our release. We have come to know that the agreement has been reached for our release. After PM Modi’s visit, we were told that they (the Russian Army) were ready to release us. Now, we are waiting for the process to start.

What are your hopes?

We hope that we will soon return to India…some people are saying that the war is not that intense. It is not true. It is a very serious situation on the ground. There are many details that I cannot share as they could impact our chances to return to India.