Hyderabad man returns from Russia–Ukraine warzone with union Government support

A 28-year-old Hyderabad resident, who paid Rs 3 lakh for a factory job in Russia, was pushed into army-linked camps in Russian-held Ukraine, before a desperate video plea led to intervention by political parties and the Indian mission, enabling his return.

Hyderabad: Mohammed Ahmed went to Russia hoping for a better life and returned home in the city last week, with memories of a war he never wanted to see.

Ahmed’s story is less about a job gone wrong and more about how an ordinary youngster from the city was pulled into the vortex of Russian military assault in Ukraine.

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The 28-year-old man residing in MS Maqtha near Lok Bhavan read about employment opportunities in Russia on Instagram in April last and applied. He got in touch with one Adil, who promised a job with good salary. He paid Adil Rs 3 lakh to get recruited for what he believed was a factory job that would fetch him about Rs 70,000 a month.

He flew to Russia with a small group of Indians with more hope than luggage. But the reality struck him hard in Russia. The work in the factory was for nearly 14 to 15 hours a day amidst harsh conditions. So Ahmed and others refused to continue.

With no work and money draining away, Ahmed depended again on Adil’s contacts. After a few weeks, another agent in Russia offered them what sounded like a safer option. They were told they would work in kitchens in defence establishments and could earn up to Rs 2 lakh a month.

Ahmed and five others from India agreed. It sounded like hard but honest work, but what followed was very different. Instead of kitchens, they were moved between army camps in parts of Ukraine under Russian control and ordered to do all kinds of menial jobs. There were others like them from Kenya, Iran and Nepal. When some of them refused to work and sought to return home, they were beaten up and warned that they could be jailed for up to 15 years.

Soon, they were pushed into combat roles, after they were taken to an army camp where they were trained in handling weapons and in basic medical aid. They were told to buy bulletproof vests, helmets, walkie‑talkies and other gear with money given by the Russians for their expenses.

Ahmed recalls that the temperatures fell to sub-zero levels and day by day, Ahmed realised that he was moving closer to actual fighting. He pleaded with officers to allow him to return to India.

By October, he was moved into what he describes as the warzone. He recalls how missiles were exploding nearby and how drones were used by the military. He recalls how some other persons who tried to speak out or send videos home were killed, a rumour that only added to the terror.

Gathering courage, Ahmed recorded a video for his family, asking the union Government to rescue him. His relatives in Hyderabad reached out to political parties. Appeals were made by the Majlis Bachao Tehreek and there was correspondence from AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, after which his family went to New Delhi to meet officials.

These efforts frucitified and soon the Indian mission in Russia traced Ahmed and pulled him out of the conflict zone. The Indian embassy then ensured that he safely returnined to India, along with others who had been trapped in similar circumstances.

Back home, Ahmed is relieved but far from at peace. He thinks about the friends, who are still missing in the warzone and worries for their families.