Forced into Russian army: Another Indian dies on battlefield amid Modi govt’s apathy
New Delhi: The death of a young man from India’s Haryana state on the Russian battlefront has not only devastated his family but also sent shockwaves through the families of other youths forced into the Russian Army.
According to Kashmir Media Service, this tragic incident marks the fifth death of an Indian national in the ongoing Russian war, Indian news portal The Wire reported.
The deceased, identified as Ravi Moun, 22, hailed from Matour village in Kaithal district, Haryana. Like many others, Ravi was coerced into joining the Russian Army under false pretenses. His family learned of his death through an official communication from the Indian Embassy in Moscow. Ravi had last spoken to his family on March 12, after which he went missing.
It is pertinent to mention that in March, reports emerged about approximately 100 youths, mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and a few from Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala, being misled into joining the Russian Army. These youths were deceived by fake travel agents who promised them employment as support staff in the Russian Army, only to find themselves thrust into a war zone against their will.
Sonu Matour, Ravi’s cousin, recounted how Ravi traveled to Russia in January, with the family paying Rs 11 lakh for the journey. “We were told that Ravi would be employed in a transportation firm in Russia, responsible for loading and unloading supplies for the Russian Army. However, upon arrival, he was forcibly sent to the battlefront,” Sonu said.
The plight of these young men, who have been missing since March, underscores the Indian government’s apathy and lack of intervention. Despite the increasing number of cases, there has been little action or assistance from Indian authorities to bring back these youths or hold accountable those responsible for their recruitment under false pretenses. The families of these young men continue to live in fear and uncertainty, highlighting a grave humanitarian issue that demands urgent attention.
