In a shocking revelation that transcends borders and conflicts, Indian and Nepalese men have been unwittingly thrust into the heart of the Ukraine war, leaving behind a trail of shattered families and international calls for action. Lured by prospects of secure jobs abroad, these individuals have instead become pawns on a geopolitical chessboard.
Hemil Mangukiya, a 23-year-old from Gujarat, India, embarked on a journey to Russia with hopes of better employment, only to find himself conscripted into military service, digging trenches and operating weaponry on the frontlines in Ukraine. His tragic death in a missile strike has become emblematic of the fate that has befallen many others. Mangukiya’s father expressed his devastation, saying, “Our entire family is devastated by this. We are still trying to get back his dead body.”
This is not an isolated incident. Many others, like Mohammad Afsan, who died believing he would be a security guard in Moscow, or the seven Punjabi men now claiming to be coerced into service, exemplify the widespread deception. Their plight has prompted Nepal to outright ban its citizens from working in Russia or Ukraine.
The narrative is distressingly similar: promises of non-combat roles, the swift confiscation of passports, and contracts in languages they cannot understand. Nandaram Pun, a Nepali man, recounted how what was supposed to be a job in Germany via a transit in Russia became a nightmare as he ended up in Bakhmut, the site of fierce fighting. “I don’t want to be cured, because if they think I am better, then they will send me back to war again,” he said from an army hospital.
For the families, the torment is excruciating. Azad Yousuf Kumar’s family tells of his dream to break the cycle of poverty, a dream now hanging by a thread as he faces the perils of war. He was led to believe his job in Dubai would ensure a brighter future for his newborn child, only to find himself shot in the leg during a military exercise and sent to Ukraine.
With each harrowing account, the role of deceptive recruitment practices comes to the forefront. Many victims were enticed by YouTube channels like Baba Vlogs, which offered jobs as “military helpers” in Russia while guaranteeing safety from frontline deployment. Such channels, and the agents behind them, have been accused of misleading young men about the true nature of the roles for which they were recruited.
Amidst these revelations, the governments of India and Nepal have been prompted to act. India has acknowledged at least 20 Indians in the Russian army and affirmed its efforts for their discharge, while Nepal has officially recognized 12 of its citizens’ deaths in the conflict. The Indian embassy in Moscow has been actively engaged in securing the early release of nationals.
Relevant articles:
– ‘He had no idea he was being sent to a war zone’: the Indian and Nepalese men on frontlines in Ukraine
– Indian families beg for safe return of men tricked into fighting for Russia: ‘we’re worried sick’, South China Morning Post, Mon, 04 Mar 2024 10:30:11 GMT
– Second Indian dies fighting for Russian Army; his family says he was duped, Hindustan Times, Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:45:29 GMT
– Russia has recruited as many as 15,000 Nepalis to fight its war. Many returned traumatized. Some never came back., CNN, Sun, 11 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT