The tragic death of a young Indian man, who was reportedly recruited into the Russian military, has plunged a family in Uttarakhand into despair and ignited difficult questions about diplomatic ties and citizen safety. The body of 30-year-old Rakesh Maurya, a BTech graduate from Sitarganj in Udham Singh Nagar district, reached his home, culminating a months-long ordeal that began with his journey to Russia for studies.
From Student to Soldier: A Family's Ordeal
Rakesh Maurya left India for Russia in August 2025, with his family believing he was pursuing educational opportunities. However, the situation took a dark turn when he informed his family that he had been recruited into the Russian army and was being sent for military training. By September 2025, all contact with Rakesh was lost, prompting his family to seek urgent help.
His brother, Deepu, actively pursued all possible channels for his return. The family wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Deepu tried to contact the Indian embassy in Russia, clinging to hope. Rakesh had conveyed that the Russian army had seized his passport and documents, leaving him trapped. Despite their pleas and the media attention on Indians being forced into the conflict, the efforts proved futile.
A Body Returns, Questions Multiply
A day after Rakesh's body was cremated in his hometown, his grieving brother voiced the family's anguish and fury. Deepu questioned the role of Indian authorities in Moscow, accusing them of failing their citizen. "We thought that after we raised a furore, he would be returned. We didn't know what was going on there," he stated, highlighting the family's helplessness.
He delivered a stinging critique of the perceived lack of coordination between the Indian embassy and the MEA. "I had spoken to the embassy, but all my efforts have gone to waste; he didn't return alive," Deepu lamented. His words painted a picture of systemic failure in protecting an Indian national abroad.
An Ally's Treatment and a Diplomatic Dilemma
The tragedy has forced the bereaved family to confront the nature of the strategic partnership between India and Russia. Deepu's comments cut to the heart of a diplomatic contradiction faced by many Indians. "When India's own ally, Russia, treats its citizens like this, what will happen to those living in other countries?" he asked.
He pointedly addressed the gap between diplomatic rhetoric and ground reality. "The media says Russia is an ally, and we believe it, but what happens there is entirely different from this portrayal," Deepu said. He went further, alleging that Indians in Russia are being treated as "slaves," a charge that underscores the depth of his disillusionment.
The Udham Singh Nagar district administration has refused to comment on the sensitive matter. The incident adds to a growing list of cases where Indian citizens, lured by promises of work or study in Russia, have found themselves forcibly recruited into the military and deployed in the conflict in Ukraine, with fatal consequences.
