Punjabi youth recruited in Russian Army dies in Ukraine war
Rohit Gupta
Gurdaspur (Punjab), May 10, 2026: A pall of gloom descended over Bohja village near Ghuman in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district after the mortal remains of Gursevak Singh, a Punjabi youth recruited in the Russian Army, reached his native village nearly eight months after his death in the Russia-Ukraine war.
The body of Gursevak Singh, son of late Sukhwinder Singh, arrived wrapped in the Russian national flag and dressed in military uniform. Emotional scenes were witnessed as grieving family members and villagers bid a tearful farewell during his last rites performed at the village cremation ground.
His younger brother, Gurbaz Singh, lit the funeral pyre in the presence of relatives, villagers and local representatives.
Speaking to the media, Gursevak Singh’s uncle Kulwinder Singh and Block Samiti member Mukhtar Singh Bohja said the young man had gone to Germany on a work permit a few years ago in search of employment opportunities. Later, he moved to Russia and joined the Russian Army.
According to the family, Gursevak Singh had been missing since September 13, 2025, and there had been no communication from him afterwards. On May 7, 2026, the family was informed that he had died during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
His mortal remains were brought from Delhi airport to his native village on Saturday, where the final rites were conducted with full respect and mourning.
Family members said the Russian Army sent back the body with military honours, wrapped in the Russian national flag.
The deceased’s relatives appealed to the Central Government, Punjab Government and district administration to provide financial and humanitarian assistance to the family, stating that they belo