Hyderabad bouncer forced to fight in Russia-Ukraine war - 'When I refused, they pointed gun at my head'

A 37-year-old resident of Khairatabad, Hyderabad, Mohammed Ahmed is allegedly trapped in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after being allegedly forced to fight on the frontlines.

Ahmed, who had gone to Russia hoping to work for a construction company, claims he was duped by a job agent and coerced into joining the military. Ahmed, who previously worked as a bouncer in Hyderabad, left for Russia on April 25 after a Mumbai-based agent promised him a high-paying construction job.

But shortly after his arrival, his situation took a dangerous turn. According to his family, Ahmed was taken to a military camp, given weapons training for ten days, and told he would have to fight in the war.

“He has been given a weapon and forced to join the war. His last known location is near the Ukraine border. We just want him rescued and brought back safely,” TOI quoted Firdous Begum, a close relative, as saying.

Ahmed concealed the ordeal from his family for several weeks. In a video message from Russia, he said, "It's a matter of life and death for me here. When I refused to go into the war zone, they pointed a weapon at my head. I don't know if I will come out alive. I can only blame the agent who brought me here and abandoned me."

According to his wife, Afsha Begum, Ahmed and 30 others were left without work for almost a month. “Later, they were taken to a remote area and forced to undergo weapons training. Out of this group, six are Indians. After training, 26 were sent near the Ukrainian border to fight,” TOI quoted her as saying.

In a desperate attempt to escape, Ahmed allegedly jumped from an army vehicle, fracturing his right leg. “Seventeen people from his group have already died fighting. He is being threatened to either agree to fight or be killed,” Afsha added.

Amjed Ullah Khan, spokesperson for Majlis Bachao Tehreek, has raised the matter with India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging immediate intervention. “This is not an isolated case. Last year, another youth from Hyderabad was duped into going to Russia and died fighting. Another Indian was rescued successfully after government efforts,” Khan said.

Ahmed’s family now lives in constant fear. “We are terrified every time the phone rings. We just want him back,” said a relative.