October 8, 2025 : A 22-year-old Indian national, Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, hailing from Morbi, Gujarat, reportedly surrendered to Ukrainian forces after serving a brief stint fighting with Russian military units. The Ukrainian 63rd Mechanised Brigade released a video statement in which Hussein claims he was coerced into joining the Russian military and abandoned his post after only three days at the front.
According to the video, Majoti went to Russia to pursue higher studies, but was later convicted on drug-related charges and sentenced to seven years in prison. He says that, facing incarceration, he was offered the option to sign a contract with the Russian military as part of what Russia refers to as its “special military operation.” He accepted this offer as a way to avoid serving the prison term.
Hussein said he underwent minimal preparation — just 16 days of basic training — before being dispatched to the front line on October 1. After three days of combat, he says he had a falling out with a Russian commander. He claimed to have located a Ukrainian trench position about two to three kilometres away, where he laid down arms and declared his intention to surrender because he “did not want to fight” and needed help. He also asserted that he never received the payment or compensation promised to him as part of the recruitment deal.
In his video statement, Hussein expressed reluctance to return to Russia, stating that he “would rather go to prison here (in Ukraine)” than stay in Russia where he believed his rights were not respected.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has been made aware of the reports but says that at this time it has not received formal confirmation from Ukrainian authorities. The Embassy of India in Kyiv is reportedly looking into the matter to verify the claims.
This case comes amid growing concern in India over reports that certain nationals, particularly students or migrant workers, have been misled into joining Russian forces. Some are said to have been promised jobs, education, or other opportunities, only to be deployed in combat roles or placed under contract for military service.
Officials in India have emphasized the importance of verifying such claims and ensuring proper procedural safeguards for citizens abroad. They have also reiterated calls for the protection of Indian nationals who may be unintentionally caught in foreign conflicts, and for diplomatic channels to be used to secure their safety or repatriation wherever needed.
Summary
Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, a 22-year-old Indian student from Gujarat, surrendered to Ukraine after joining the Russian military to avoid imprisonment. India’s government is seeking verification of the reports.