The desperate wait of families of Indian men tricked into fighting Russia’s war

From the frontlines of the Russia-Ukraine border, Manoj Singh Shekhawat sent a 21-second audio message to his family in Rajasthan on October 15.

“If you don’t hear from me for three days, consider that I am no more,” the 33-year-old cab driver from Jaipur told his family.

Ten months later, however, his family has not given up hope that he is alive.

“We hope that maybe they are making him work at some place where there is no internet connectivity,” said Ajay Singh Rathore, a cousin.

Shekhawat’s family is among 26 Indian families who moved the Supreme Court in March to direct the Union government to trace and repatriate their loved ones from the active conflict zone on the Russia-Ukraine border.

Since the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, hundreds of Indians have found themselves fighting along the Russian Armed Forces. Many claimed to have been lured there by recruitment agents. It is illegal for Indian citizens to fight for another country.

Shekhawat was recruited by a local agent in Jaipur early last year on the promise of a high-paying job, his family said.

On July 31, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to “continue its efforts” to trace the missing Indian nationals. The court also directed the Ministry of External Affairs...

Read more