Body of Haryana Youth Allegedly Trapped in Russia-Ukraine War Returns to India
The body of Ankit Jangra (24), a resident of Kumhariya village in Fatehabad district, Haryana, who was allegedly caught in the Russia-Ukraine war, arrived in Delhi on Saturday. Ankit was one of two youths from the same village who had traveled to Russia and were reportedly drawn into the ongoing conflict under suspicious circumstances.
Family's Account of Events Leading to Tragedy
According to family members, Ankit sent a voice message to his brother via Telegram in September 2025, stating he was being taken to the battlefield and would lose contact. His WhatsApp account was deleted shortly before that message, adding to the family's distress.
Raghuvir Jangra, Ankit's elder brother, revealed that the family received information about the repatriation on Friday. "We reached Delhi on Saturday morning. The last rites are likely to be performed in the village later in the day," he said. The family remains anxiously awaiting news about the second youth, Vijay Poonia, who accompanied Ankit to Russia.
Allegations of Deception and Forced Military Involvement
Raghuvir provided a detailed account of how the youths ended up in the conflict zone:
- Ankit initially went to Moscow to enroll in a Russian language course and later took up work at a fast-food outlet.
- Vijay was allegedly lured by a woman who promised him a job as a security guard with a monthly salary of Rs 2.5 lakh.
- Both youths were made to sign documents in Russian and discouraged from translating them.
- They received brief weapon training and were subsequently forced into military roles against their will.
Family's Desperate Efforts for Help
The family said they repeatedly sought assistance from authorities through multiple channels:
- Approaching the Russian embassy in both Delhi and Chandigarh.
- Writing to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
- Political leaders, including Sirsa MP Kumari Selja and Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking intervention.
Financial Hardship and Background Details
Ankit had reportedly taken a loan of Rs 4.75 lakh by mortgaging his family home to finance his travel abroad. The family has no agricultural land and survives on daily wage labor, with Ankit's father working as a mason. Prior to his ill-fated journey, Ankit had been employed with a transport company in Behror, Rajasthan.
The family maintains that Ankit fell victim to a sophisticated job scam that ultimately led to his forced involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This tragic case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by Indian youth seeking employment opportunities abroad and the devastating consequences when such opportunities turn out to be fraudulent.
