Almost two years after a disabled youth from Punjab allegedly lost his life while serving in the Russia–Ukraine war, the mortal remains of Mandeep Kumar, a resident of Goraya in Jalandhar district, were finally received by his family at Delhi airport on Saturday. His last rites will be performed at their native place on Sunday.
The family came to know about Mandeep’s death around two months ago, after DNA samples provided by them matched with unidentified remains lying unclaimed in a Russian hospital. Mandeep, who had a congenital defect in his left leg, is believed to have died sometime in March 2024.
According to the family, Mandeep was tricked by unscrupulous travel agents who promised him employment and passage to Italy but instead diverted him to Russia, where he was allegedly coerced into joining the Russian army.
Mandeep’s brother, Jagdeep Kumar, said the family had submitted DNA samples to the Indian government in February last year, but received no concrete assistance. “My brother was disabled. It is shocking and painful to even imagine how such a person could be sent to a war zone,” he said.
Jagdeep told The Indian Express, “The Indian government did not provide any information about my brother, whom I last spoke to in March 2024. I was left with no option but to go to Russia myself and seek help from Indian officials there and the Russian authorities to search for him in jails, hospitals or camps.”
The last contact the family had with Mandeep was in March 2024, when he allegedly sent messages and images showing him in army uniform, pleading for rescue and expressing fear for his life under Russian command. Soon after, all communication ceased.
With no official confirmation forthcoming, Jagdeep travelled to Russia twice — first in January-February 2025 for 21 days and again in September-October 2025.
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Rajya Sabha member and environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal assisted him by arranging travel tickets and providing an official letter to facilitate his stay. Despite severe language barriers and logistical hurdles, Jagdeep continued his search relentlessly.
Jagdeep said he submitted his DNA again in Russia in October last year, following which Russian authorities confirmed that Mandeep had died and that his body was at a Russian hospital. The mortal remains were subsequently repatriated to India.
Recounting how the ordeal began, Jagdeep said that in 2023, Mandeep and four others travelled to Armenia with the intention of migrating to Italy. Lured by a Facebook advertisement, they approached travel agents from Bholath in Kapurthala district, including one Sandeep Hans, who promised safe passage. But instead of Italy, they were taken to Russia, where they were allegedly forced into military service.
Jagdeep revealed that the family paid Rs 31.40 lakh to the agents through bank transactions and cash. “We even mortgaged our house in Goraya to arrange the money.” Despite the payment made in December 2023, the agents continued to falsely assure the family that Mandeep would get a good job in Russia and repay the debt.
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Jagdeep claimed that many Indians are being lured to Russia with promises of employment. “They travel on tourist visas and are detained at airports on minor pretexts, taken to jail, mentally tortured and pressured to join the army,” he alleged.
He also said he too was detained at a Russian airport during his search and pressured to enlist, but managed to escape by explaining that he was searching for his missing brother. He also accused the Indian embassy in Russia for not cooperating in such cases.
While official figures suggest around 200 Indians were recruited into the Russian army, Jagdeep claimed the actual number is far higher. “Based on my experience, 700–800 Indians are in Russian jails and a similar number have already been forced into the army. Many are missing and at least two dozen have been killed,” he said, adding that he has a list of 14 Indians, of whom 10 are confirmed dead and the rest are missing.
He also alleged the involvement of both Russian and Indian agents in coercing Indians into military service, claiming that recruits receive minimal training — sometimes less than a week — before being sent to the frontlines. The grieving family has appealed to the Centre to thoroughly investigate the matter, fix accountability and prevent further exploitation of vulnerable youths seeking better opportunities abroad.
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“A two-year wait has ended in an irreparable loss. At least I was able to bring my brother back home,” he said.