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This is an archive article published on January 8, 2025
Disabled Punjabi youth allegedly forced into Russian Army: Brother plans visit to Russia to locate him
Family says they have had no contact with Mandeep Kumar since March 2024 despite approaching both the Indian and Russian governments
Desperate for assistance, the family approached Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, who raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs, urging immediate action.
Jagdeep Kumar (31), from Goraya in Jalandhar, is planning to visit Russia in the third week of this month to locate his disabled brother, Mandeep Kumar (30). Mandeep has been missing from the battlefield since he was allegedly forced to join the Russian Army by travel agents.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Jagdeep said, “The Indian government has not provided any information about my brother, whom I last contacted in March 2024. Now, I have no option but to go there myself and seek help from both Indian officials there and the Russian government to locate him in jails, hospitals, or camps. I will even request the Russian Army to send me to Ukraine to search for my brother.”
Jagdeep recounted how his brother’s ordeal began. In 2023, Mandeep and four others traveled to Armenia intending to migrate to Italy. They were lured by a Facebook advertisement and approached travel agents from Bholath in Kapurthala district, who promised safe passage. The agents, including Sandeep Hans, prepared documents for the group, but instead of Italy, they were taken to Russia, where they were coerced into joining the army.
Jagdeep revealed that the family paid ₹31.40 lakh to the agents through bank transactions and cash. “We even mortgaged our house in Goraya to arrange the money,” Jagdeep said. Despite paying the exorbitant amount in December 2023, the agents falsely assured the family that Mandeep would secure a good job in Russia, which would help repay the debt.
According to Jagdeep, Mandeep, who has a congenital defect in his left leg, was tricked and threatened into joining the army. During their last conversation in March 2024, Mandeep, seen in an army uniform, pleaded for rescue, expressing fear for his life.
“It is distressing to know that innocent youths are being lured by unscrupulous agents and forced into such situations,” said Jagdeep. Desperate for assistance, the family approached Rajya Sabha member Balbir Singh Seechewal, who raised the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs, urging immediate action.
The family alleges that the agents continued to demand more money while issuing life threats. Despite filing a complaint with Jalandhar police in December 2023, an FIR was only registered after months of delay. The accused agents—Sandeep Hans, Ankit, and Jashan—remain at large.
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Jagdeep added, “We must caution our youth against falling prey to such traps. It is crucial that authorities take strict action against these agents to prevent more families from suffering.”
The family is now urging the Indian government to take up the matter with Russian authorities and ensure Mandeep’s safe return.
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