“I didn’t want this war”: Indian student says Russia coerced him into military service after drug conviction
An Indian citizen, who identified himself as 22-year-old Majoti Sahil Mohammed Hussain from the city of Morbi, captured by Ukrainian forces on Ukrainian territory, has stated he was coerced into joining the Russian army after serving time in prison in Russia. The 63rd Brigade reported that he surrendered to its soldiers.
The man said he had traveled to Russia to study but was imprisoned on drug-related charges and later offered “freedom” in exchange for signing a military contract.
“I didn’t want to sit in prison,” he said in the recording. “They told me I could serve one year and then go home. They promised money — 100,000, 500,000, 1.5 million rubles — but I didn’t get anything.”
He described receiving minimal training before being sent to the front line in September 2025. Majoti said he escaped during a mission and eventually surrendered to Ukrainian soldiers.
“I don’t want this war. I just wanted to run away. I don’t want to go back to Russia,” he said. “If possible, I want to go home to India.” He stated that he allegedly killed nobody during the three days he was on the front line.
Ukraine’s authorities have not disclosed details about the circumstances of his capture. The Indian government has not yet commented on the case. ZMINA sent an information request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India, which was left ignored by the Ministry.
As is known, India, China, North Korea, and Brazil also assist Moscow in killing citizens of Ukraine in Russia’s war, including funding the Russian budget through trade.
