Ukrainian media is reporting the capture of an Indian national, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, who allegedly fought for the Russian army. The 22-year-old is reportedly from Morbi, Gujarat. Indian authorities are working to verify these reports.
According to the Kyiv Independent, Majoti had been studying in Russia but was allegedly coerced into joining the Russian armed forces after a drug conviction. Reports indicate he was offered a deal: military service in exchange for having his sentence overturned. Majoti appeared in a video released by Ukraine's 63rd Mechanized Brigade, stating he was sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison on drug-related charges. He said he signed a contract with the Russian military to avoid further punishment.
Majoti claims he underwent approximately 16 days of training before being deployed to the front lines. He says that after only three days in combat, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces, stating he had no desire to fight. "I immediately put down my rifle...I needed help," he said in the captured footage. He also stated, "I don't want to go back to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. I'd rather go to prison here (in Ukraine)". He also claimed he never received the financial compensation he was promised for joining the Russian army.
The 63rd Mechanized Brigade stated on its Telegram channel that Majoti studied in Russia but was caught with drugs and that "in order not to go to prison, he went to war".
This incident follows previous reports of Indian and Nepali citizens being misled or coerced into joining the Russian military, often through job or education opportunities, only to be thrust into combat roles. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has stated that at least 12 Indian nationals have died fighting on Russia's side, while 16 remain missing; about 96 have been repatriated.
India has been asking Russia to release all Indians serving with Russian military units and has repeatedly cautioned its citizens against recruitment into the Russian army, citing the dangers and risks to life. Russia has publicly committed to discharging Indians who were "misled" into service. According to official data, more than 150 Indians have been recruited by the Russian military.
The Indian Mission in Kyiv is investigating the reports, but it has not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side.
