CBI probes family of Kashmir man deceived into fighting for Russian Army

Srinagar, Mar 31: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recorded statements of the family members of Azad Yousuf Kumar, a Kashmiri man who was allegedly tricked into participating in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being deceived.

The agency recorded its statements recently after filing a First Information Report (FIR) against 19 people and visa consultancy firms linked to the exploitation of Indian youth.

Azad's elder brother, Sajad Ahmed Kumar said that the CBI questioned him about his brother's situation and requested his presence at their New Delhi office.

However, he was unable to comply due to current financial circumstances. Sajad also said that the families of 12 other affected Indian men have been contacted by the CBI, and they had expressed their desire for the safe return of their loved ones.

The CBI dismantled a human trafficking network on March 8, which was funnelling Indian individuals into the war zone and identified key facilitators including agents based in Russia.

These agents allegedly enticed Indian youth with promising job offers in Russia but coerced them into military involvement in the conflict.

Azad, a 31-year-old engineering graduate from Pulwama, initially sought job opportunities in Dubai but was misled by false promises, ultimately finding himself embroiled in the war as a mercenary for the Russian Army.

His family described his perilous situation at the Ukraine border and implored the government to intervene for his safe return.

According to the family, Azad left for Dubai on December 14 last year in search of a decent job after being lured by a YouTuber Faisal Khan ended up fighting a war.

“He was promised a job in Dubai by the YouTuber. However, he ended up being a mercenary for the Russian Army,” the family said, urging the Centre to step in and rescue him from the war he never desired to participate in.

“He is right now at the Ukraine border. We spoke to him a few days ago, and he told us that his life is in danger. He was forcibly told to sign a contract in Russia, and that's how he ended up at the Russia-Ukraine border. Then he was sent to the frontline with other Indians,” Sajad said.

He said Azad managed to call the family during the evening for two to three minutes.

“They are constructing bunkers in the forests right now. They have moved further from the Black Sea. They occupy the areas and then make bunkers there,” he said, quoting his brother.

Sajad said Azad was given a 15-day-long military training during which he was hit by a bullet and needed to be hospitalised for two weeks.

“He has a two-and-a-half-month-old son whom he has not even met so far,” he said.

Despite efforts of the Indian authorities to engage the Russian government and provide requisite documentation, little progress has been made towards their return.

Azad’s family expressed deep concern about his well-being, highlighting the dangers he faces daily in an unfamiliar territory.

The CBI’s investigation exposed a web of deceit where individuals were trafficked under pretences, manipulated into combat roles, and left stranded without recourse.

The agency emphasised the grave risks faced by these individuals, forcibly thrust into the conflict zone against their will.