Sahil Mohammad Hussain Majothi, who travelled to Russia in January 2024 on a student visa, claimed he was falsely implicated in a drug case, jailed, and coerced into signing a military contract to drop the charges. After minimal training, he was deployed to the war zone, where he immediately surrendered to Ukrainian forces.
In the video, shared by Ukrainian authorities with his family on Sunday, Hussain appeared in a dark green jacket. "I feel extremely helpless," he said, warning of fraudsters trapping Indians in false cases. He appealed directly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian government for help, referencing President Vladimir Putin's recent India visit.
Hussain's mother, Hasinaben Majothi, has petitioned the Delhi High Court for his repatriation. The court previously directed the Ministry of External Affairs to appoint a liaison officer to contact Ukrainian authorities. The next hearing is scheduled for February.
Ukrainian forces recorded the message and asked the family to raise awareness about Indians being duped into Russian service.
The case highlights ongoing concerns over Indian nationals recruited into the Russian army. The government recently informed Parliament that 202 Indians have served since 2022, with 26 killed, seven missing, and efforts continuing to discharge the remaining 50.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated earlier this month that New Delhi is actively pursuing releases and has advised citizens in Russia to steer clear of such offers.
Hussain's surrender was first reported in October, marking him as one of the earliest known captured Indians in the conflict.
