Russia has launched a new wave of recruiting Indian nationals into its armed forces, often by deception and coercion.

Axar.az informs, citing United24, the cases involve individuals who traveled legally to Russia for study or work and were later forced into military service and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.

One example is Rakesh Kumar, a 30-year-old from Uttarakhand state, who traveled to Russia on a student visa on August 7, 2025, to attend St. Petersburg University.

His family told The Times of India that within weeks he reported unexpected developments. On August 30, Kumar phoned his brother, saying he had been compelled to enlist in the Russian military and was being prepared for deployment to the combat zone.

Soon after, his family received photographs showing him in Russian uniform. In a final call from an unknown number, he said his documents had been confiscated, his electronic accounts deleted, and that he had undergone training in Donbas. Contact was lost after that conversation.

According to The Times of India, Kumar’s relatives appealed to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, the embassy in Moscow, and local authorities.

The case is part of a broader pattern. At least 20 Indian citizens, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have reported being misled and forced into Russian service in recent months.