Indian Student Caught in Ukraine Joins Russian Military to Escape Drug Charges

Sun Oct 12 2025 07:31:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Sahil Majothi, a 22-year-old Indian student, is reported to have joined the Russian army after being accused of drug-related charges. His mother Claims he was coerced due to his legal troubles, raising concerns about the involvement of foreign nationals in the ongoing war.

Sahil Majothi, an Indian student studying in Russia, has become the first Indian captured by Ukrainian forces in the ongoing conflict. His mother alleges he was falsely accused of drug charges and joined the Russian military as a way to avoid imprisonment. The case highlights increasing reports of Indians being recruited into the Russian army amidst rising tensions in the region. Authorities in India are investigating the matter as support for his return grows from community leaders.

Ukraine has captured an Indian national allegedly fighting for Russian forces, marking the first known Indian detainee in the ongoing war.

Sahil Majothi, 22, hailing from Gujarat, India, had moved to Russia to study computer engineering two years ago. His mother asserts he was falsely implicated in a drug case last April.

According to a video released by Ukraine's army, Mr. Majothi joined the Russian military to avoid serving time for drug charges.

The Indian foreign ministry is currently investigating the case but has yet to receive official communication from Ukraine. The BBC has also reached out to the Russian government for comment.

In an exclusive interview with BBC Gujarati, Mr. Majothi's mother, Hasina, revealed that her son went to Russia in January 2024. After completing a three-month language course in St. Petersburg, he moved to Moscow to pursue his studies, working part-time as a kitchenware courier.

She claims that in April 2024, her son was wrongfully arrested after someone placed drugs in a package he was delivering. Following his arrest, he was reportedly sentenced to seven years in prison. Unknown to his family, he had been drafted into the military.

He stated in a video that he had been given a choice between military service, which promised pay, or facing jail time. His experience included only 15 days of training before being dispatched to the battlefield.

As the video circulated, the Anti-Terrorism Squad in Gujarat interrogated Hasina and her brother regarding the situation. Community leaders and local authorities have made appeals for the Indian government to intervene and bring back not just Mr. Majothi but other young Indians who have similarly gotten caught in the web of international conflicts.

This incident raises alarm over the recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian army, as reports continue to surface about over 150 Indians being enlisted, with some having already lost their lives in the conflict.

Indian officials consistently warn against participation in the war, urging citizens to refrain from offers to enlist, citing significant risks to life.