15 Indians Stranded in Ukraine-Russia War Zone After Being Duped by Agent

Fast Summary:

• Two Indian nationals report being trapped in a Russian-occupied warzone in ukraine and forced to serve on the Russian side.
• They claim there are at least 13 more Indians with them; some have been sent to forward posts, while four are missing and believed killed.
• The individuals had traveled to Russia recently on student or visitor visas and were promised jobs as construction workers but were coerced into enlisting in the Russian Army without their knowledge.
• Sumit Sharma (22, Jammu) shared his ordeal, stating he approached an agent for work but was deceived into military service. He claims their repeated appeals for help from the Indian Embassy in Moscow have gone unanswered thus far.
• Gursevak Singh (26, Punjab) recorded a video pleading for rescue before perhaps being sent to forward locations. He mentioned another individual from Rajasthan who is uncontactable after sharing what could be his final video.
• The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has issued several warnings urging citizens not to fall prey to job scams promising lucrative opportunities abroad.
• As of July 2025, official records cited that 127 Indians were part of the Russian armed forces-98 individuals had their services discontinued following bilateral discussions between India and Russia; tho, 12 remain unaccounted for.

Indian opinion Analysis:

The reported cases underscore serious risks associated with foreign job scams targeting vulnerable individuals seeking better financial prospects abroad. while India’s external affairs ministry has repeatedly cautioned against such employment traps and facilitated the discharge of many affected nationals through diplomatic engagement, systemic solutions may need reinforcement given recurring incidents over years. This situation also poses ethical questions regarding recruitment practices involving foreign nationals during conflicts.

india’s role here appears twofold: ensuring proactive consular assistance for affected citizens abroad while strengthening awareness campaigns at home about fraudulent overseas employment schemes aimed at exploiting unsuspecting seekers. For those caught amid geopolitical tensions like this conflict zone scenario, coordination with concerned authorities remains critical not just for rescue efforts but also policy refinements aimed toward deterrence against future exploitation cases involving its diaspora.

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