Chandigarh, September 11, 2025 —Congress leader and MLA Padma Shri Pargat Singh on Thursday accused both the BJP-led central government and the AAP government in Punjab of failing to protect Punjabi and other Indian youths who are being lured or coerced into the Russian Army despite repeated advisories from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Speaking at a press conference at the Punjab Congress Bhawan, Singh said the crisis has persisted for more than a year and a half, with Indian nationals—particularly from Punjab and Haryana—forced into combat roles in the Russia-Ukraine war. “Despite advisories from the MEA, recruitment hasn’t stopped. Our youth are being pushed into a death trap without proper training,” Singh remarked.
Read more: Indians trapped in Russian Army plead for rescue; MEA issues warning
According to Singh, families of missing youths in Punjab have confirmed that in July this year alone, 15 Punjabi men traveled to Russia, and by August were forcibly enrolled into the Russian Army. “Five have already died, three are missing, and seven remain trapped in the army,” he said.
He added that approximately 126 young men from northern states have been recruited under similar circumstances, with 15 still untraceable. Only one body has been recovered. “Neither the Centre nor the state has taken concrete steps to trace them. This is not the grief of a few families; this is Punjab and north India’s collective pain,” Singh noted.
The Congress leader demanded that New Delhi immediately engage with Moscow and the Russian Embassy to halt the practice. He urged compensation and financial support for bereaved families, as well as an aggressive search for the missing. “Issuing advisories is not enough. Punjab must act against the nexus of travel agents deceiving our youth and file cases without delay,” Singh said.
Singh also alleged that Indian and Russia-based agents are operating a trafficking network, misleading youths with false job offers. “Agents are not only sending our youth under the pretext of jobs, but they even control their bank accounts and prevent families from receiving salaries or insurance payouts after deaths,” Singh charged.
He questioned why the Punjab government has not prosecuted such fraudulent recruitment agencies and why no large-scale investigation has been initiated. “Strict action against these agents is long overdue. Why are they still operating freely?” he asked.
The press conference also brought harrowing testimonies from families. Jagdeep Singh of Goraya, Jalandhar, who has been searching for his missing brother Mandeep for over 18 months, said Indian officials ignored his pleas.
“The embassy doesn’t listen. Only with help from Pargat Singh could I travel to Russia, gather documents, and fight for my brother’s justice,” he said.
Parminder Kaur from Amritsar, widow of Tejpal who died after being forcibly enlisted in January 2024, wept as she recalled her ordeal. “My husband was sent to the front line and killed. Eighteen months later, I still don’t have his body. I had to spend my own money, hire a private lawyer, and fight a case in Russia. Only three months ago did they give me a death certificate. No help came from the MEA, embassy, or Punjab government,” she said.
Another survivor, Sarabjit Singh of Amritsar, described how he was promised a courier company job in Russia with a salary of ₹90,000 per month. “But the moment we arrived in April 2024, we were forced into the Russian Army. I fought at the frontline in Ukraine and somehow escaped. The Indian Embassy never came to our rescue,” he recounted.
Fathers of other missing youths, including Gurmel Singh from Malerkotla and families from Jalandhar Cantt, also shared their anguish and demanded that their sons be brought back immediately.
Pargat Singh reiterated that the Congress will not remain silent if authorities continue to neglect the crisis.
“Punjab’s youth cannot be left to die in a foreign war. The Centre, Punjab government, and Indian Embassy must act together now, or we will raise this issue at every forum,” he said.
