Daijiworld Media Network- Patiala
Patiala, Sep 11: A chilling appeal has emerged from war-torn Ukraine, where a group of Indian youths, allegedly forced into Russian military service, are pleading for rescue before it is too late.
“Please save us… we have just a day or two left. After that, they’ll send us to war,” cried 23-year-old Ankit Jangra and 25-year-old Vijay Poonia, both residents of Kumharia village in Fatehabad district, during a desperate WhatsApp call from Selydove — a Russian-occupied region.
Ankit and Vijay had travelled to Russia earlier this year on student visas to pursue language studies, but say their dreams of education turned into a nightmare after being lured with false promises of jobs. According to Ankit, he and 12 other Indian youths, aged between 20 and 27, are now trapped in Russian-controlled Ukraine under strict military watch.
The group reportedly includes three men from Punjab, three from Jammu & Kashmir, two from Uttar Pradesh, three from Haryana, and two from Rajasthan. At least seven among them had travelled abroad with study visas.
They claim they were offered lucrative contracts — Rs 20 lakh after 15 days of training and salaries of Rs 1.5-2 lakh per month — to join the Russian Army. However, once taken to a military camp, they were prevented from returning. “When we ask to go back, Russian officers point guns at us and say: ‘You’ll either die here or kill the enemy. There’s no going back,’” Ankit alleged.
Surviving on bread and jam, the youths describe living conditions as harsh and inhumane. “Five Indians from our group are already dead, others are missing and feared killed. We don’t know whose turn is next,” Ankit added, warning fellow Indians not to fall for fake promises of jobs or education abroad.
Families back home are in deep distress. Relatives of Ankit and Vijay have approached Deputy Commissioner Dr Vivek Bharti, MP Ramchandra Jangra, and former MP Sunita Duggal, urging urgent government intervention. “These boys went abroad to study, not to fight someone else’s war. The government must bring them back safely,” a family member said.
The trapped Indians claim they have already informed the Indian Embassy, but no assistance has yet reached them. Their plea is now directed at the Ministry of External Affairs: rescue us before it is too late.