Bengaluru, 14 Sept

Three youths from Kalaburagi, who were caught in the deadly crossfire of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, are finally home after nine harrowing months. Treated like slaves and forced to survive on meagre rations, their ordeal came to an end when the Indian government intervened.

Syed Ilias Hussaini, 21, Mohammed Sameer Ahmed, 21, and Abdul Nayoom, 22, were rescued from Russia, where they had been unknowingly drafted into the private Wagner army. The trio arrived home late on Friday night, grateful for their second chance at life.

Lured by false promises

The three men had been working at Dubai Airport when they came across an advertisement offering security guard jobs in Russia with a tempting monthly salary of Rs 2 lakh. They applied, paid agents Rs 3.5 lakh, and flew to Russia via Chennai on 18 December, 2023. “We had no idea we were walking into a trap,” Hussaini told Salar News from Kalaburagi. “We were tricked by a fraudulent agent and forced into joining the Wagner army to fight against Ukraine.”

On the frontlines

The reality they encountered was far from what they had imagined. “We landed in hell,” Hussaini said. The youths were woken up at 6am every day, forced to work 15-hour shifts without rest. “Even if we tried to close our eyes for a second, they would shoot at us to make us get back to digging trenches or firing at enemy lines. My hands are still covered in blisters, and we suffer from severe back pain.”

Having never handled a gun before, they were quickly trained to use Kalashnikov rifles, hand grenades, and other explosives. “We were forced to dig trenches and fire assault rifles. There are still many Indian youths who remain trapped there,” Hussaini said.

Cut off from the world

The Wagner soldiers took away their phones, leaving them isolated from their families. “We had no idea where we were,” Ahmed said. “But we managed to sneak in a call to one of our families.”

Their fate took a darker turn when their friend, Hamil, a native of Gujarat, was killed in a drone strike. Shaken by his death, the trio informed their families of the conditions they were living in. Their families, along with well-wishers, started reaching out to Indian government and others for help.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Russia in July, raised the issue of youths with President Vladimir Putin. Soon after, the Indian Embassy in Moscow coordinated with the Russian military to ensure the safe return of the young men. “We never thought we would make it home,” Ahmed said. “We thank Prime Minister Modi, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Minister Priyank Kharge for their efforts in saving us.”

Now safely back in India, the trio is beginning to recover from their traumatic experience. “We thank God that we are finally home,” said Hussaini. “After nine months, we had the best meal of our lives and slept peacefully for the first time without the sound of grenades or gunfire.” – Salar News