As the world marks two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the conflict rages on with devastating consequences. President Putin's opposition to Ukraine's NATO aspirations has fuelled the ongoing war, claiming at least 315,000 lives, according to US intelligence reports. Despite international condemnation, Putin has indicated that the war will only cease if Ukraine surrenders entirely to Russian control.
Amidst the chaos, disturbing reports have emerged of Indian citizens being deceived and forced into the battlefield in Ukraine. Agents promised them job opportunities but instead pushed them into the war zones of Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Donetsk after purportedly training them in handling weapons under the guise of volunteering for the army.
One individual, Faisal Khan, who gained attention through his YouTube channel 'Baba Vlogs,' stands accused of duping Indians into the conflict. He claimed to have obtained work permits from European nationals and boasted about collaborating with the Russian army in his videos.
In his letter to Jaishankar, Owaisi identified specific individuals, such as Mohammad Azfan, Arbab Hussain, and Zahoor Ahmed, who are seeking assistance to return to Hyderabad. These individuals, along with others, were allegedly misled by Indian agents and forced into the Russian army without their consent.
Families of the stranded individuals are in a state of distress, as their loved ones remain the sole breadwinners. Despite their pleas for help, these individuals have not been able to contact their families for over 25 days, adding to the urgency of the situation.
Speaking to reporters, Owaisi said, "Unemployed men from Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh were lured to Russia by agents promising them jobs as building security guards. But there they were deceived and sent to the battlefield. Last December, I met families who asked me for help with those who were stuck there. I have written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the Indian Ambassador to Russia to bring back the stranded people. Faisal Khan, who lives in Dubai, along with Mumbai-based Sufiyan and Bhoja, cheated. A man who was trapped there and thrown into battle died."
As the international community grapples with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India faces the pressing task of rescuing its citizens trapped in the crossfire. The allegations against Faisal Khan and other agents underscore the need for stringent measures to prevent further exploitation and ensure the safety of vulnerable individuals caught in the midst of conflict.
In a video released in December, Faisal Khan claimed that he had received work permits from European nationals and in another video, he said that work was going on with the Russian army and seven people had obtained permission to work in Russia.