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A 22-year-old student from Gujarat, who went to Russia for higher studies, joined the Russian Army to avoid jail over drug charges. After just three days on the battlefield, he surrendered to Ukrainian forces, saying he'd rather stay imprisoned in Ukraine than return to Russia.
Indian student Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein says in the video that he went to Russia for education. (Image/Social Media)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Oct 8, 2025 17:27 IST
A 22-year-old from Gujarat, who was drafted to fight for the Russian military in the Russia-Ukraine war, has surrendered to Ukrainian forces after just three days on the battlefield, according to the Ukrainian military. The Ukrainian Army also released a video of the Indian man, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, revealing how he ended up fighting for the Russian forces and surrendering after just three days at the battlefront. Hussein also revealed that he was forced to fight for the Russian forces with bare-minimum arms training.
According to the video, Hussein, originally from Morbi in Gujarat, had travelled to Russia to pursue higher studies. However, being jailed on drug-peddling charges was just the beginning of his horrors.
"I am from Morbi, India. I am a 22-year-old student. I came to Russia to study at a university. I was put in prison on drug peddling charges," Hussein could be heard saying in the nearly 2-minute-long video, speaking in Gujarati.
To avoid incarceration, Hussein reportedly signed a contract to join the Russian military's "special military operation" in Ukraine.
"I do not want to stay in prison, so I signed a contract to join the special military operation in hopes of escaping. They said: serve for one year and you will be released," he added.
GUJARATI STUDENT SENT TO WAR WITH 16-DAY MILITARY TRAINING
He further explained that after only 16 days of basic military training, he was deployed on the front lines on October 1.
Hussein recounted a disagreement with his commander shortly after he reached the front, which prompted his decision to surrender.
"I came across a Ukrainian trench position about 2-3 kilometres away. I immediately put down my rifle and said I didn't want to fight. I needed help," he revealed in the video.
Hussein also expressed his desire not to return to Russia, stating that he would rather face imprisonment in Ukraine than return.
Hussein also claimed he was promised financial compensation for joining the Russian military but never received any payment.
The Indian Mission in Kiev has reportedly been trying to verify the authenticity of these reports but is yet to receive formal communication from Ukrainian authorities regarding Hussein's status or surrender.
OVER 150 INDIANS RECRUITED INTO RUSSIAN MILITARY SINCE 2022
Earlier reports have indicated that citizens from India were enticed to Russia with the promises of well-paying jobs or educational opportunities, only to be coerced into joining the Russian military.
Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that India had urged Moscow to release and repatriate 27 Indians currently serving in the Russian military. Official figures indicate over 150 Indians have been recruited since the war began in 2022.
The issue was also raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Russia last year as well.
So far, at least 12 Indians have been killed in the conflict, 96 discharged by Russian authorities, and 16 remain missing.
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Published By:
Gaurav Kumar
Published On:
Oct 8, 2025
