MP Satnam Sandhu Takes Up Matter of Rescuing Punjabi Youths Trapped in Russia with Ministry of External Affairs
Punjabi Youth Appeals for Safe Return After Forced Military Deployment in Russia-Ukraine Conflict Zone
Rajya Sabha MP Sandhu Cautions Punjabi Youth over Risks of Illegal Migration and Fraudulent Agents
CHANDIGARH, OCTOBER 6, 2025 : Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu has written a letter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene for the rescue of several Punjabi youths who are stranded in Russia after allegedly being duped with promise of lucrative job offers and forced into joining the Russian Army under ‘false pretences’. This information was shared by MP Satnam Sandhu during a press conference held here at Chandigarh on Sunday.
In the letter to the MEA, MP Satnam Sandhu has requested ‘urgent intervention to rescue Punjabi youths stranded in Russia’ who have been reportedly misled by fraudulent agents, luring them with false promises of jobs in Russia. But on their arrival, these youths were allegedly coerced into signing contracts and forced into training in Russian Army and deployment near the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone, stated the letter to MEA. MP Sandhu has sought early intervention and urgent action in the matter to ensure the early and safe repatriation of these youths to their families in India.
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “I have raised the issue of rescuing Punjabi youth trapped in Russia with the Ministry of External Affairs and closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all relevant authorities to ensure their safe return. I also urge our youth and their parents to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to fraudulent agents promising lucrative job opportunities abroad.”
It is pertinent to mention here that in recent years, several incidents have come to light where Indian youths, misled by fraudulent travel agents, have fallen prey to false promises of lucrative jobs abroad. Many of them ended up in vulnerable situations, facing severe hardships and even life-threatening circumstances instead of the opportunities they were promised.
One such incidentof a Punjabi youth Buta Singh, who is a resident of Chak Kanian Kalan village in Moga, Punjab have surfaced recently.Buta Singh, who is currently stuck in Russia, contacted MP Satnam Singh Sandhu and narrated his horrific ordeal and appealed for a safe return to India.
In a voice message shared with MP Satnam Sandhu, Buta Singh said, “I was lured by a Delhi-based agent with the false promise of a job in Russia, for which my family paid Rs 3.5 lakh after selling land. On reaching Russia in October 2024 with two other Punjabi youth Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana and Gursewak Singh from Gurdaspur, we were taken to a remote area and forced to sign papers in Russian and later sent to an Army camp where our passports were seized. We were given uniforms, trained for 15 days, and coerced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war under threat of death. At the warfront, I got severely injured in a drone attack and was treated in Moscow hospitals for nearly a month. I appeal to the Indian government to ensure my safe return to India.”Buta Singh claimed that his fellow traveler Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana died in the conflict, while the others survived.
According to the media reports, a total of 126 Indian nationals had gone to Russia who later served in the Russian Army and out of these, with the diplomatic intervention of the ministry, 96 people have been discharged from the army and have returned to India. The record further stated that while 12 Indian nationals died in the combat, 18 Indian nationals still remain in combat and out of these whereabout of 16 Indians are not known. Most of these cases are of Indian nationals being misled into serving in the Russian Army by luring them in the pretext of jobs abroad, mostly in construction sector or that of helpers.
Notably, following MP Satnam Singh Sandhu’s intervention in the case of five Punjabi youths held captive in Capurgana, Colombia, while attempting to travel to the USA via the ‘Dunki Route’, the youths were successfully rescued by the Ministry of External Affairs in May 2025. MP Sandhu has consistently advocated for the safe return of Indian youths, particularly from Punjab, who get trapped in foreign countries.
Sandhu said, “Following the US deportation row, the central probe agencies and state police departments have swung into action and launched a crackdown on illegal migration industry and fraudulent travel agents.”
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu expressed gratitude to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian government for their prompt action in rescuing Indian youths from Colombia, and now from Russia. He expressed hope that the remaining youths still trapped would also be safely brought back to India soon.
“Many youngsters, in pursuit of better employment opportunities and better living conditions, fall prey to fraudulent agents and adopt illegal ways to reach foreign lands. These fraudulent agents exploit them for lakhs of rupees, putting their lives in danger. I appeal to all youths and their parents to desist from such illegal practices that put their lives at risk and follow legal channels and prioritize their safety over shortcuts offered by deceptive agents. Traveling abroad illegally not only risks your life but also makes it extremely difficult for the government to assist you in case of emergencies,” added MP Sandhu.