Muzaffarnagar/Shamli: Families of three young men from western Uttar Pradesh are desperately seeking answers after losing contact with them in Russia. The families allege that the men were taken into Russian military service after their passports were allegedly confiscated and they were pressured to fight in the ongoing war against Ukraine. The three men Himanshu Sharma, 24, Shakti Punder, 23, and Ashu Saini, 25 had travelled to Russia separately with the intention of studying the Russian language and earning money through permitted part-time work. Instead, their families say, their plans took a disturbing turn after they allegedly became trapped in a situation they never agreed to.

Families Lost Contact After Frightening Calls

According to their relatives, the three men were last in contact with their families around July 30. Their final conversations reportedly came from Moscow and left their families deeply worried. The young men allegedly told their relatives that their passports had been taken away and that they were being forced to join the Russian military. Since those calls, their families say they have been unable to establish regular contact with them or confirm where they are currently located. For the families, the lack of information has turned the situation into an agonising wait, with no clear indication of when their loved ones might return home.

They Went to Russia for Studies

The three men had reportedly travelled to Russia with the help of an agent based in Shamli. Their families said the agent charged approximately ₹3.5 lakh per person, promising assistance with student visas and arrangements for legally permitted part-time employment. Ashu Saini reportedly travelled to Russia in April after completing his intermediate education. Himanshu Sharma and Shakti Punder were also in Russia for a language course and were expected to return to India in August as their one-year visas approached expiry. Their families now allege that the circumstances changed dramatically before their planned return.

Saini's Family Recalls His Last Call

Ashu Saini's family says his final conversation was particularly distressing. His sister, Anshul, reportedly spoke to him for only about 30 seconds. According to the family, Saini briefly told her that he was fine before the call ended. Attempts to contact him afterwards were unsuccessful. His father, Rakesh Kumar, who works as a farmer, has approached the Prime Minister's Office seeking immediate assistance in locating his son and securing his return to India. The family is now waiting for authorities to provide information about Saini's whereabouts and circumstances.

Punder's Father Seeks Government Help

Shakti Punder's family has also approached authorities for assistance. His father, Vipin Kumar, has sought help from the district administration as well as the Uttar Pradesh government. The family says it has received little information since the last communication and remains uncertain about what has happened to him. For the families of all three men, the biggest concern is whether they are safe and whether they can be brought back to India.

Police Examine Agent's Role

Authorities are also looking into the role of the Shamli-based agent who allegedly arranged the men's travel to Russia. The investigation is expected to examine what the men were promised before travelling, the nature of their visas, and whether any misleading assurances were made regarding employment. he case also highlights concerns surrounding recruitment networks that attract Indians to Russia with promises of education or employment and allegedly end up connecting them with military service.

India Has Already Raised the Issue

The case comes amid wider concerns over Indians who have allegedly been recruited into the Russian military. In July, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that New Delhi was pursuing the release of around two dozen Indian nationals believed to be serving with the Russian Army. The issue also reached the Supreme Court, where relatives of Indian nationals who travelled to Russia during 2024 and 2025 filed a petition. The families alleged that some young Indians had been induced or lured into military service by recruitment agents after travelling on tourist or student visas.

More Than 30 Indians Reportedly Dead

The broader situation has already had a tragic impact on Indian families. More than 30 Indian nationals have reportedly died while serving with the Russian military on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict. The Supreme Court petition was filed by relatives of 26 Indians who allegedly travelled to Russia for purposes such as tourism or education but were subsequently drawn into military service. The cases have raised questions about the activities of recruitment agents, the vulnerability of young Indians seeking opportunities abroad and the safeguards available to citizens travelling to foreign countries for education or employment.