UP man goes to Russia for studies, gets drafted into army by a woman on promise of citizenship; family says he cannot be released as he is now Russian citizen

A 25-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha, who travelled to Russia on a study visa in December 2024, has been untraceable since August 24 after his family alleged that he was persuaded to join the Russian army on promises of citizenship and non-combat duties before being deployed to the Ukraine war front.

Akshay Kumar, a resident of Fatehpur Chhitara village, was injured by shrapnel during fighting on July 1, 2026, but later returned to his military unit, according to his family. His relatives have now appealed to the Indian government to intervene, establish his whereabouts and facilitate his return from Russia.

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Family seeks government intervention

Akshay’s father, Randheer Singh, 45, a factory foreman in Haryana, said his son initially travelled to Russia to pursue studies. After completing a three-month Russian language course, Akshay extended his stay and took up a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant.

The family alleged that a woman named Alisha later approached Akshay and persuaded him to join the Russian army by promising Russian citizenship and other benefits.

“He was initially told that he would be given non-combat work such as digging trenches and constructing tunnels, but was later sent to the frontline,” Singh said.

According to the family, Akshay was injured by shrapnel during fighting on July 1. Despite the injury, he subsequently returned to his military unit. His relatives remained in contact with him for several weeks, but communication stopped abruptly.

“I last spoke to him on Aug 24. Since then, we have had no information about his whereabouts,” Singh said.

Embassy approached over Akshay’s release

Akshay’s elder brother, Aman, repeatedly approached Indian and Russian authorities and also wrote to the Indian Embassy in Moscow seeking information about his brother’s condition and location.

The family said the embassy informed them that it had taken up Akshay’s release with the Russian Defence Ministry. However, Russian authorities maintained that Akshay had acquired Russian citizenship and possessed a Russian passport and, therefore, could not be released from military service.

The Indian Embassy subsequently requested Russian authorities to facilitate his release, the family said.

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Family abandoned plan to travel to Russia

With no information about Akshay since August 24, his family considered travelling to Russia themselves to search for him. Singh and Aman obtained passports for the journey but eventually abandoned the plan because of the expenses involved and their lack of contacts in Russia.

The family has now appealed to the Indian government to take up the matter with Russian authorities, locate Akshay and facilitate his return home.