Russian citizenship twist clouds repatriation of T men trapped in war zone | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Russian passports and military service contracts have emerged as a major hurdle in efforts to bring back three Telangana men whose families say they travelled to Russia for civilian jobs but later became linked to the country’s military.Documents accessed by TOI show the men acquired Russian citizenship and, in at least two cases, reportedly signed one-year contracts with Russia’s defence ministry, potentially complicating India’s diplomatic efforts to secure their return.The documents relate to Sirushu Ashok, Megavath Prakash and Mohammed Afzal Khan. Travel records, citizenship papers and military agreements indicate that some of them became Russian citizens within months of arriving in Russia. Their families, however, allege the men did not fully understand the documents they signed.Sources in the ministry of external affairs said acquisition of Russian citizenship could complicate diplomatic intervention and repatriation.Prakash, a native of Dharpally in Nizamabad district, was issued a Russian internal passport by authorities in the Ulyanovsk region on Aug 31. On the same day, he reportedly signed a one-year military service contract. His listed residence was Ulyanovsk.The agreement between ‘private’ Prakash and Russia’s defence ministry was executed through a military recruitment point in Ulyanovsk. A private in the Russian military holds the lowest enlisted rank, known in Russian as ‘ryadovoy’.It required him to perform military duties, adhere to the military oath and participate in specified operations, including during armed conflicts and outside Russian territory.A day later, he reportedly signed a notarised declaration stating that he was renouncing Indian citizenship after acquiring Russian nationality. The document records that the legal consequences were explained to him.His wife, Megavath Sunitha, alleged in a police complaint that he initially worked for a private company for about four months before it shut down. She claimed agents, including Gourav Chaudhary, Krishna and Yellaiah, then offered alternative employment and facilitated his recruitment into the Russian Army.The complaint states that ₹2.4 lakh was paid towards travel and visa expenses and another ₹50,000 for arranging alternative work.A notable aspect of the documents is the sequence of events: Prakash’s Russian passport and military contract were issued on Aug 31, followed a day later by his declaration renouncing Indian citizenship. While the declaration states the legal implications were explained to him, the family alleges he did not understand the papers he signed.Military-linked documentsAfzal Khan, 43, from Banswada, entered Russia in Feb on an employment visa that named Pondera Industry LLC as the inviting organisation. Migration records show he arrived on Feb 16 and obtained social security registration the next day.By Aug 31, Khan had received a Russian internal passport from authorities in Ulyanovsk. His records also indicate a one-year contract with Russia’s defence ministry around the same period.Another document, dated Sept 2 and addressed to the commander of military unit 01007, seeks a one-time payment of 4,00,000 roubles linked to military service. It cites a presidential decree and contains provisions for repayment under specified circumstances if the contract is terminated early. The document does not establish whether the payment was received.Khan’s wife, Jameela Begum, said he had travelled to Russia for work, leaving behind their son and daughter.Similar pattern in Ashok’s caseAshok, 44, entered Russia on Feb 16 on an employment visa linked to Pondera Industry LLC. His documents show that he received a Russian passport on July 11. In a notarised declaration dated Sept 1, he stated that he was renouncing Indian citizenship after acquiring Russian nationality. His registered address is also in Ulyanovsk.Ashok’s wife, Sarita, alleged that agents cheated him and said he had repeatedly sought help to return home.In an advisory issued on Sept 30, the external affairs ministry said some Indians had sought Russian passports and military recruitment for monetary benefits, cautioning against assuming India could later secure their release.At the centre of the controversy is a key question raised by the families: whether the men fully understood the citizenship declarations and military obligations they signed.The issue gains significance because Russia has introduced a simplified citizenship route for foreigners signing military service contracts of at least one year. A Jan 4, 2024, Presidential decree further eased the process.Earlier Telangana cases involving Mohammed Afsan and Mohammed Sufiyan also featured alleged promises of Russian citizenship and lucrative jobs that families claim ultimately led to military camps and deployment towards the Ukraine front.GFXRussian Policy and the January 4, 2024 Presidential DecreeDecree details: On January 4, 2024, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Decree No. 10 (“On the Admission to Citizenship of the Russian Federation of Foreign Citizens Concluding a Contract for Military Service in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation or Military Formations, and Members of Their Families”).Provisions: The decree permits foreign nationals who sign a contract with the Russian Armed Forces or other military formations for at least one year during the “special military operation” to apply for fast-track Russian citizenship.Family inclusion: The decree explicitly extended eligibility to immediate family members—specifically spouses, children, and parents of the foreign enlistee.2. Cases of Mohammed Afsan and Mohammed SufiyanMohammed Afsan (Hyderabad, Telangana):Afsan, a 30-year-old from Bazarghat, Hyderabad, was lured by recruitment agents under the pretext of working as a helper or security assistant.His family stated that agents promised him high pay and eligibility for Russian citizenship and a passport after completing one year of service.Afsan was sent to military training and deployed to the front lines; in early March 2024, the Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his death due to injuries sustained near the front.Mohammed Sufiyan (Narayanpet, Telangana):Sufiyan was similarly recruited via recruitment networks ().His family stated he was promised a monthly salary exceeding ₹1 lakh along with the prospect of Russian government residency/citizenship after a year. The issue came out in 2024Instead of civil/support jobs, Sufiyan was taken to military training facilities and deployed close to the Ukraine border. His plight was brought to public attention after he and other stranded Indian recruits released video appeals from the conflict zone.3. Systematic Recruitment and Government ActionHuman Trafficking Networks: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered cases in March 2024 against multiple visa consultancy firms and agents operating across India (including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad) for operating an organized human trafficking network.Modus Operandi: Agents lured youth using social media and local sub-agents with promises of high-paying non-combat roles, government jobs, or permanent residency/citizenship in Russia. Upon arrival, their passports were often confiscated, they were forced into combat gear, trained in firearms, and sent into the war zone.Diplomatic Response: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue directly with Russian leadership, resulting in an agreement to discharge and safely repatriate Indian nationals who had been duped into joining the Russian military.
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