Daijiworld Media Network - Udham Singh Nagar

Udham Singh Nagar, Sep 23: A shocking case has emerged from Uttarakhand, where 30-year-old Rakesh Kumar, a student from Kushmoth village in Shaktifarm (Sitarganj tehsil), has reportedly been forcibly conscripted into the Russian army after traveling to Russia for higher education.

Rakesh left for St. Petersburg on August 7, having secured admission to a local university on a student visa. Initially, his family believed he had settled in well. However, troubling signs soon began to appear.

According to his family, the last full conversation they had with Rakesh was on August 30, during which he revealed a startling development — he had been drafted into the Russian military.

Communication Cut, Identity Documents Seized

After this revelation, Rakesh became incommunicado. His family has since received only a photograph showing him in Russian military uniform and a brief call from an unknown Russian number. During the call, Rakesh reportedly informed them that his passport and other personal documents had been confiscated, and his email accounts deleted.

He also told them he had been subjected to military training in the Donbas region, after which he was deployed to the frontlines in Ukraine.

Family in Distress, Calls for Help

The incident has left Rakesh’s family deeply worried. With no clear support channel or contact with Indian authorities, they are urging the Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure their son's safety and repatriation.

This case adds to a growing number of reports about foreign nationals being allegedly misled or coerced into joining the Russian military amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

No official response has been issued yet from the Indian embassy in Moscow or from the Ministry of External Affairs at the time of reporting.