The Russia-Ukraine war in its third year, has an unexpected connection to Uttar Pradesh, where families from Azamgarh and Mau districts are caught in a tragic saga. Last year, around a dozen young men from these districts were lured to Russia with promises of high-paying jobs as security guards and cooks, only to be forced into military service.

Among them, Kanhaiya Yadav, Shyamsundar, and Sunil Yadav lost their lives on the battlefield. Two others, Rakesh Yadav and Brijesh Yadav, returned home injured, while the families of eight men await news of their loved ones, who remain unaccounted for.

Agents like Vinod Yadav promised jobs with salaries of Rs 2 lakh per month. Instead, the men were made to sign agreements in Russian, trained, and sent to war. Many of them last reached out to their families describing their forced recruitment.

Nasreen, the mother of Azharuddin Khan, shared how he left home in January 2024, lured by the promise of a security job. His father suffered a fatal heart attack after learning Azharuddin had joined the Russian army. “My last conversation with him was in April 2024. He promised to return in six months, but I haven’t heard from him since,” she said.

Similarly, Indu Prakash, father of Humeshwar Prasad, last spoke to his son in March 2024. After contacting the Indian embassy, he was informed that his son was missing.

Rakesh Yadav, one of the few survivors, recounted his ordeal. He left for Russia in January 2024 but was forced into military training upon arrival. He was told the training was for self-defense. Eventually, he was sent to the battlefield but managed to return after being injured.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, 12 Indians have died while serving in the Russian military, and 16 others are still missing. Out of the 126 Indians recruited, 96 have been discharged and returned home.

Families are demanding the government’s intervention to bring back their loved ones and take action against those responsible.