Purvanchal Youth Stranded in Russia, Pressured to Join Military with Lure of High Pay

Gorakhpur: A shocking report has emerged from Purvanchal, Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the plight of young Indians stranded in Russia. Many youths, promised lucrative jobs and a luxurious lifestyle by foreign employment agents, were sent to Russia on tourist visas. Once their visas expired, they were detained by Russian authorities and are now reportedly being pressured to join the Russian military, with offers of ₹15 lakh fixed deposits and a monthly salary of ₹2.5 lakh.

Trapped by False Promises

Local agents in Gorakhpur and surrounding districts have been luring young job seekers for years with promises of high-paying foreign employment. Many victims, often naive and desperate for better opportunities, end up losing everything after falling into the trap. Similar cases in the past have forced the Indian government to intervene and bring stranded youths back home.

Youth Plead for Help

Hundreds of young people from districts including Basti and nearby areas were sent to Russia under false pretenses. Once their visas expired, Russian police detained them, and some youth have managed to contact their families through phone calls or video chats, pleading for assistance:

“We are trapped here. The police have detained us, and now the Russian army is pressuring us to join the military. Please help us return home. We appeal to the government for urgent intervention.”

Promises of Wealth and High Pay

Family members of one youth from Bansgaon revealed that their son was sent abroad by agents in Devi Patan for a supposedly high-paying job. Upon reaching Russia, he discovered his visa was a tourist visa, which soon expired. Russian authorities detained him and are now offering military recruitment incentives—including a ₹15 lakh fixed deposit and ₹2.5 lakh monthly salary—to coerce him into service.

Harassment by Russian Authorities

Another youth, Sonu Tiwari from Gorakhpur, described the harsh treatment by Russian police:

“The police are raiding homes of expatriates and forcing them to stay in police stations for hours. They are being pressured to enlist and possibly sent to fight in Ukraine. We urgently request help to get out of here.”

No Contact with Agents

Families have attempted to reach the agents who facilitated the overseas employment, but their phones are switched off, and they remain unreachable. Desperate, relatives have contacted local authorities and pooled resources to provide immediate support to the stranded youths.

This incident highlights the growing dangers of fraudulent foreign employment schemes, with young Indians vulnerable to exploitation abroad and facing life-threatening pressures far from home.