A determined search for a missing brother has unearthed a harrowing tragedy, revealing the confirmed deaths of ten Indian nationals who were recruited into the Russian army, with four others still missing. This grim reality came to light through the relentless efforts of Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Goraya in Jalandhar, Punjab, who undertook two perilous journeys to Russia.
The Shocking Revelation from Russia
Jagdeep Singh, unable to find any information about his brother Mandeep through official channels, took matters into his own hands. With assistance from Rajya Sabha member Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, who provided travel tickets and an official letter, Jagdeep travelled to Russia. He made two trips—one lasting 21 days and another for two months—battling significant language barriers and logistical hurdles to gather information.
His efforts yielded official documents, which he claims were provided by the Russian military. These documents confirm the deaths of ten Indian men. The families, who had been waiting for months for news, only learned of their sons' fate after this long and painful delay. Jagdeep submitted these papers to Seechewal's office in Sultanpur Lodhi on December 28, 2025.
According to the list, the deceased include Tejpal Singh from Amritsar, Arvind Kumar from Lucknow, Dhirendra Kumar from Uttar Pradesh, Vinod Yadav, and Yogendra Yadav, among five others. The four missing Indians have been identified as Deepak, Yogeshwar Prasad, Azharuddin Khan, and Ram Chandra.
A Pattern of Deception and Coercion
Jagdeep Singh's account paints a disturbing picture of how Indians are being ensnared. He states that the primary reason is large-scale deception by agents who lure young men with promises of attractive job opportunities in Russia. Many travel on tourist visas, believing they are headed for legitimate work.
Upon arrival, they are often detained at airports over minor documentation issues and taken to jail. There, they face mental pressure, intimidation, and torture, and are forcibly coerced into joining the Russian army, which is in desperate need of manpower for its war with Ukraine. After enduring severe abuse, many see no option but to enlist.
Shockingly, Jagdeep himself fell victim to this system. He was detained at a Russian airport due to a document issue, taken to jail, and pressured to join the military. He managed to avoid conscription by explaining he was only there to search for his brother.
Appeals for Government Action and Justice
Following the revelations, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has made urgent appeals to the Government of India. He met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar earlier, submitting a petition on June 29, 2024, and has now reiterated his demands.
Seechewal has called for immediate diplomatic intervention to stop the recruitment of Indians into the Russian army. He demanded that the mortal remains of the deceased be repatriated to their families for last rites according to religious traditions. He also urged strict action against the travel agents who allegedly misled these men with false promises, pushing them into deadly situations.
Jagdeep Singh alleged that the Indian embassy in Russia was not adequately cooperative when Indians sought help. He contested official figures, suggesting that while government data mentions around 200 recruits, his experience indicates 700-800 Indians are currently in Russian jails, with a similar number already forced into military service. He claims at least two dozen have been killed so far.
He further alleged that the Russian army uses agents, in collusion with local Indian travel agents, to carry out this coercion. Recruits are given minimal training—often less than a week—before being dispatched to the frontlines, facing almost certain death. Jagdeep's heartbreaking quest has exposed a grave humanitarian crisis, putting the spotlight on the urgent need for government intervention to protect its citizens abroad.
