A 22-year-old youth from Telangana, India, has returned home after a harrowing ordeal that saw him unwittingly recruited into the Russian army and stranded at the Russia-Ukraine border for months. Mohammed Sufiyan expressed immense gratitude to the Indian government on Saturday for facilitating his return, sharing his emotional journey with the press. “I still cannot believe that I have returned home. The horrific scenes of the ongoing war are still fresh in my mind…” he said, reflecting on the traumatic experience.
Sufiyan, who returned safely on Friday night after working as a support staff for the Russian army in its war with Ukraine, recounted how he was lured to Russia with promises of a security job. He arrived in Russia via Chennai and Dubai in December 2023, believing he was embarking on a legitimate career path. However, his journey took a stark turn when he was taken to the Russia-Ukraine border and subjected to military training. He was then tasked with loading vehicles and building bunkers, working under the oppressive shadow of the ongoing conflict.
Sufiyan and others like him soon realized they had been misled by a Mumbai-based employment agent. They were unable to establish contact with the agent and were trapped in a foreign war. As the war raged on, Sufiyan found himself in a terrifying situation. He described sleepless nights and a deteriorating health condition as he was stationed close to the frontlines. After sharing his harrowing experience with authorities, he was eventually moved to a ‘green zone’ in Ukrainian territory, about 60 kilometers from the frontlines, under the control of Russia.
“We were in a jungle for eight months,” he said, recounting the desolation of his time in a foreign land. He expressed immense relief as the Indian government arranged air tickets to bring him back to Delhi from Moscow.
Sufiyan’s family had been anxiously awaiting his return, expressing hope for his safe arrival following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in July. During that visit, PM Modi had “very strongly” raised the issue of Indian nationals working with the Russian military as support staff with President Vladimir Putin. Russia responded by agreeing to India’s demand to ensure the early release of these individuals.
Sufiyan’s story highlights the dangers of deceptive recruitment practices and the devastating human cost of conflict. His return is a testament to the tireless efforts of the Indian government and a reminder of the power of diplomacy in bringing home citizens caught in challenging circumstances.
