Indian families beg for safe return of men tricked into fighting for Russia: ‘we’re worried sick’

At least three men were promised well-paying jobs in the Middle East, only to be led to Russia, where their families claim they have been forced to fight in the Ukraine war

The entrapment of the Indian workers sheds light on how vulnerable individuals are being exploited and sent into conflict zones, advocates and relatives say

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The mother of Aazad Yusuf Kumar, from a village in Indian Kashmir, shows his picture. Photo: Kamran Yousuf

Published: 6:30pm, 4 Mar 2024Updated: 6:51pm, 4 Mar 2024

Aazad Yousuf Kumar, 31, grew up in poverty in the village of Poshwan in Indian Kashmir, so when he and his wife welcomed a baby boy three months ago, he vowed to break the cycle and provide a brighter future for his family.

Reaching out to Baba Vlogs, a renowned employment agency based in Dubai, Aazad thought he was closer to his dream of providing his loved ones financial security when he received a job offer in the Middle Eastern city.

Arriving in Dubai in December, however, he was told there were no jobs and sent to work as a kitchen cleaner in Russia – where his family claims he was forcibly brought to the border to fight for Moscow in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

“The agent charged him 300,000 rupees (US$3,600) to arrange the job. But when Aazad reached Moscow, his phone and passport were taken away,” said his brother, Sajad Yousuf Kumar. “We are worried he will be sent to the front line.”

The family of Aazad Yusuf Kumar speaks about his predicament from Indian Kashmir. Photo: Kamran Yousuf

Aazad is among a group of Indians who have reportedly been tricked into fighting for Russia, after falling for promises of well-paying jobs by deceitful recruiters such as Baba Vlogs.