Rohtak family pleads for son’s return from Ukraine war zone

A poor family from Taimurpur (Jethpur) village in Rohtak district has made an emotional appeal to the Union Government to bring back their 29-year-old son, Sandeep, who has been stuck in the Russia-Ukraine war zone for over a month.

Sandeep had gone to Russia last year to study and work part-time to support his family. However, his parents allege that he was forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the frontline in Ukraine without proper training.

Last week, Sandeep managed to call home, telling his family that he was deployed in Ukraine, staying in a bunker, and surviving on one porridge meal a day. “My son told us that he has to go on patrol duty amid landmines and drone attacks. His mobile phone and passport have been taken away. He badly wants to return. I urge the government to bring him back,” said his mother Saroj, breaking down in tears.

Desperate for help, the family has written to the Prime Minister, Haryana Chief Minister, the Rohtak Deputy Commissioner, and other state and central authorities, but has received no response so far.

Sandeep’s elder brother Vikas, who works at a barber shop, said, “We live in abject poverty. Sandeep went abroad to study and earn money. Recently, he was offered a job as a helper-cook in the Russian army, but after just 15 days of rifle-shooting training, he was sent to a city in Ukraine captured by Russia. We request the government to help him return.”

His friend Vikram, also from the same village, said Sandeep’s life was in grave danger. “He was promised a helper’s job but has been pushed into active combat duty, patrolling amid landmines and drone strikes. We urge the government to intervene immediately,” he said.

Sandeep’s father Bakshi Ram, who is unable to work due to ill health, said the family had no one else to depend on. “We are poor people. Our only hope is the government. We have sought help from the authorities and will be very grateful if our son is brought back,” he said, folding his hands in appeal.