Indian student arrested by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia to avoid prison: Family

An Indian student has become the first known citizen of his country to be arrested in the Ukraine war after he was allegedly strong-armed to fight for Russia to avoid a prison sentence, according to reports.

Sahil Magothi, a 22-year-old from Gujarat, was arrested by Ukrainian forces and appeared in a video that went viral. Posted on Facebook this week By the 63rd Mechanized Brigade in Ukraine, where he claimed to have joined the Russian army in exchange for freedom after he was charged in a drug case last April, his mother said. He told BBC News.

Magothy reportedly moved to Russia in January 2024, completed a language course in St. Petersburg, and then moved to Moscow to attend university.

During his studies, he also worked as a kitchenware courier in Moscow.

In April 2024, his mother, Hasina Magothi, alleged that someone slipped drugs into a package while he was making a delivery.

The young student was then arrested and detained for six months before being sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison. The mother recalled that his family sought help from a lawyer, but soon lost contact with her.

“The police arrested and charged him,” Hasina Magothi told the outlet.

In the clip released by Ukraine’s 63rd Mechanized Brigade, Magothy claimed he was given the choice of fighting for Russia or rotting in prison.

It is not possible to verify the exact date or location where the clip was taken.

Hasina Magothi said: “I don’t know how he ended up in Ukraine. I only found out through the video that went viral.”

Magothy also said he was promised sums ranging from 100,000 to more than 1 million rubles for his military service, but never received a dime.

After just 15 days of basic training in September 2024, he was reportedly thrown into a war zone — and by October 1, the day after his deployment, Magothy claimed to have been separated from his Russian unit after an altercation with a commander.

The newspaper said that he then found a Ukrainian hideout and asked for help.

After the video went viral, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad interrogated Magothi’s family members, the newspaper reported.

ATS officials in India confirmed details of his arrest and detention in Russia to the outlet.

His arrest comes amid growing concerns about Indian citizens being recruited into the Russian army.

“Many young men like him have been trapped and dragged into the war,” community leader Qasim Somra told the outlet.

“We appeal to the government to bring back Sahil and other young Indians who have gone abroad in search of work.”

A spokesperson for the Indian Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment from The Post.