In a distressing turn of events, a group of men from northern India has called upon their government to help secure their release after allegedly being tricked into fighting for Russia in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The incident came to light through a video published by broadcaster NDTV, which shows seven men dressed in green military fatigues resembling those worn by Russian soldiers.

According to reports, these men had traveled to Russia on December 27 to celebrate the New Year holiday before attempting to visit neighboring Belarus. However, they claim to have been caught off guard by visa requirements and were left stranded when their tour agent demanded more money and subsequently abandoned them. The men were apprehended by the police and handed over to Russian authorities, who allegedly coerced them into signing documents and forced them to join the military campaign against Ukraine.

One of the individuals in the video, identified as Harsh, 19, revealed how he and his companions were threatened by Russian soldiers with a decade-long jail sentence before being enlisted into the military. Harsh's family, when contacted by NDTV, disclosed that he had initially traveled to Russia in search of employment opportunities abroad.

The distraught mother of Harsh pleaded with the Indian government for her son's safe return, stating, "I want the government to bring my son safely home." Responding to the situation, India's Foreign Ministry confirmed that they are working actively to secure the release of approximately 20 Indian citizens who find themselves "stuck" in the Russian military.

This incident sheds light on the ongoing issue of foreign nationals being lured into joining Moscow's Armed Forces with promises of high salaries and Russian citizenship. While neither India nor Russia has explicitly confirmed whether these Indian recruits have been deployed on Ukraine's front lines, recent media reports have highlighted Moscow's recruitment efforts targeting citizens from countries such as India, Cuba, and Nepal.

The Indian government's swift action to secure the release of its citizens is imperative in ensuring their safety and well-being. It remains to be seen how diplomatic efforts will play out in resolving this distressing situation and reuniting the men with their families back in India.