Indian student, 22, captured in Ukraine after allegedly fighting for Russia

A 22-year-old Indian national, identified as Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein from Morbi, Gujarat, has reportedly been captured by Ukrainian forces while allegedly fighting for the Russian army. Indian authorities have yet to confirm the detention and are currently verifying the reports.

According to Ukrainian media outlet The Kyiv Independent, Hussein had initially travelled to Russia to study at a university but was later enlisted into the Russian military.

In a video released by Ukraine's 63rd Mechanised Brigade, Hussein claimed he had been serving a seven-year prison sentence in Russia for drug-related offenses.

While in prison, he was reportedly offered a contract to join the Russian army as part of the "special military operation"—Russia’s term for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine—as an alternative to completing his sentence. Hussein said he agreed to the offer to avoid further imprisonment.

He stated that he received just 16 days of military training before being sent to the front lines on October 1. After three days of combat and a disagreement with his commander, Hussein said he voluntarily surrendered to Ukrainian forces.

"I saw a Ukrainian trench about 2-3 kilometers away. I dropped my weapon and told them I didn’t want to fight and needed help," he said in the video.

Hussein also claimed that, although he had been promised financial compensation for his service in the Russian army, he never received any payment. “I don’t want to go back to Russia. There is no truth there, nothing. I’d rather stay in prison here (in Ukraine),” he added.

Responding, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said: “We are ascertaining the veracity of the report. We have not yet received any formal communication from the Ukrainian side in this regard,” reports NDTV.

Earlier this year, the Indian government revealed that at least 12 Indian nationals had died fighting for the Russian military, with 16 others reported missing.

India has since raised the issue strongly with Moscow and urged the early release of Indian citizens involved in the conflict.