Wed Oct 08 09:01:25 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

An Indian national, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein from Gujarat, who was allegedly serving in the Russian military, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces. According to Hussein, he was serving a prison sentence in Russia and joined the military to avoid further punishment. The Indian Embassy in Kyiv is verifying the report. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of Indians being recruited into the Russian military, some reportedly under duress. The Indian government has been actively seeking the release and repatriation of Indian nationals serving in the Russian army.

**News Article:**

**Indian Man Surrenders to Ukrainian Forces, Claims Forced Recruitment into Russian Military**

**New Delhi – October 8, 2025** – An Indian national, identified as Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein from Gujarat, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces, claiming he was forced to join the Russian military while serving a prison sentence in Russia. The Ukrainian military’s 63rd Mechanised Brigade released a video of Hussein on Tuesday, October 7th.

According to Hussein, he was serving a seven-year sentence on drug-related charges when he was offered a contract with the Russian military as an alternative to remaining in prison. “I didn’t want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract for the special military operation. But I wanted to get out of there,” Hussein stated in the video. After a short training period, he was sent to the frontlines, where he surrendered to Ukrainian troops after a disagreement with his commander.

Indian officials have yet to release an official statement, but sources indicate the Indian Embassy in Kyiv is verifying the veracity of Hussein’s claims. “The Indian Embassy in Kyiv is ascertaining the veracity of the report. It has not received any formal communication from Ukrainian authorities on the matter,” sources said.

This incident underscores the continued concern surrounding the recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian military, some reportedly under coercion. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs reported last month that India has urged Russia to release and repatriate 27 Indian nationals currently serving with the Russian Army. There have been previous reports of Indians on student and business visas being pressured into joining Russian military units.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Russian authorities during his visit to Russia last year. According to official data, the number of Indians recruited by the Russian military exceeds 150. At least 12 Indians have died while fighting on the frontlines in Ukraine, 96 have been discharged, and 16 remain missing.

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