Three UP men missing in Russia; families allege forced military recruitment
Three men from western Uttar Pradesh are missing in Russia after their families alleged that their passports were seized and they were forced into Russian military service
PTC Web Desk: Three young men from western Uttar Pradesh have reportedly gone missing in Russia after allegedly being forced to join the Russian military following the confiscation of their passports, their families have claimed.
The missing men have been identified as Himanshu Sharma, 24, and Shakti Punder, 23, from Muzaffarnagar, and Ashu Saini, 25, from Shamli. Their families said they have not been able to contact them since July 30.
According to their relatives, the three had travelled to Moscow to study the Russian language. They reportedly went to Russia separately through an agent based in Shamli, who allegedly charged about Rs 3.5 lakh each and promised student visas along with arrangements for legal part-time work.
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Saini travelled to Russia in April after completing his intermediate education. Sharma and Punder were expected to return to India in August as their one-year visas were nearing expiry.
However, during their last conversations with their families in late July, the three allegedly said that their passports had been taken away and they were being pushed into military service.
Saini's sister, Anshul, said she managed to speak to him for only about 30 seconds during their last call. According to her, Saini told her that he was fine, but the call was suddenly disconnected. The family has not been able to contact him since then.
Saini's father, Rakesh Kumar, a farmer, has approached the Prime Minister's Office seeking help to trace his son and secure his release.
Punder's father, Vipin Kumar, has also approached the district administration and the Uttar Pradesh government. He said the family has been living with uncertainty since receiving the last communication from his son.
Meanwhile, the police are examining the alleged role of the Shamli-based agent who reportedly arranged the three men's travel to Russia.
The case comes amid growing concern over Indians being recruited into the Russian military. In July, the Ministry of External Affairs said India was working with Moscow to secure the release of around two dozen Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces.
The issue has also reached the Supreme Court. The court is hearing a petition filed by relatives of 26 Indians who travelled to Russia during 2024-25 on tourist or student visas and were allegedly lured or induced by recruitment agents into military service.
More than 30 Indians have reportedly died while serving with Russian forces on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict.