Son fighting for Russia at Kyiv frontline, kin in Kashmir seek govt’s help

Naseer Ganai

Srinagar, February 25

Two Kashmiris are among several youths of the country who have been lured for security guard jobs in Russia but they ended up on the Ukrainian frontlines.

Now, their families are urging the government to intervene for his return.

Sajad Kumar from the Poshwan Awantipora area of Kashmir told The Tribune that his brother Azad Yusuf Kumar came across a YouTube channel, run by Baba Vlogs from Mumbai, which advertised job opportunities as helpers in Russia. After applying, Yusuf was informed by Khan that he had been hired, Kumar said.

On December 14, 31-year-old Yusuf left Kashmir and travelled to Sharjah and then Dubai before reaching Russia, Kumar said. Yousuf and Kumar are skilled labourers with expertise in digging tube wells.

In Dubai, Yousuf underwent medical tests to work as a helper. Yousuf, who got married four years ago and has a three-month-old child, signed a contract written in Russian though it wasn’t read to them, Kumar claimed. “They were verbally informed that they would be guarding a private building. However, upon arrival in Russia, two agents enlisted them into the Army,” Kumar said. He said that for the first time his brother reached out to the family from Ukraine in January this year, expressing concern about being on the frontline and facing constant drone attacks.

“We spoke to him last night. He told us that the situation remains uncertain. He also asked us to urge the Indian government to get him out of Russia,” Kumar said. Kumar’s family appealed to the government, urging intervention to facilitate their son’s return from Russia. Kumar says his brother is among 12 persons from various parts of India, who were lured to Russia as helpers. He said his brother underwent a 15-day training programme with the Russian army, during which his brother suffered a bullet wound to his foot. He said his brothers and others were facing harassment from Russian authorities who claim they were bound by a contractual obligation lasting a year.

He said they had taken his papers, including passport preventing their departure. Another Kashmiri who is stuck in Ukraine is Zahoor Ahmad Sheikh. Sheikh is a resident of Hajinar, Tangdar, Kupwara. He has gone missing in Russia. His family is deeply concerned about his well-being.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#Kashmir #Russia #Srinagar #Ukraine