The families of two Indian students have confirmed their deaths in Ukraine, alleging the young men were forcibly recruited into the Russian military after travelling to Russia on education visas.
Tragic End for Students Seeking Opportunity
The bodies of Ajay Godara, 22, from Bikaner in Rajasthan, and Rakesh Kumar Maurya, 30, from Uttarakhand, have been repatriated to India and handed to their grieving relatives. Both had travelled to Russia separately on student visas, but later sent videos home claiming they had been conscripted into the military and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.
Their families state the men believed they were accepting non-combat roles, such as cleaners or helpers, to earn money while studying. Instead, they found themselves enlisted as soldiers. Godara had arrived in Russia in November 2024 for a language course and was allegedly recruited after nearly ten months. Maurya had enrolled at St Petersburg University on 8 August 2025.
A Growing Crisis and Government Response
These deaths have intensified concerns in New Delhi over the recruitment of its citizens by the Russian military. India's foreign ministry informed parliament that as many as 202 Indians have been recruited into the Russian armed forces since the Ukraine war began in early 2022. The official toll now stands at 26 killed, with at least seven more reported missing.
Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, stated the government is actively working to secure an “early discharge” for 50 Indian nationals currently serving. The ministry has assisted in repatriating the remains of ten deceased nationals and arranged local cremation for two others.
DNA samples from relatives of 18 Indians reported dead or missing have been shared with Russian authorities to help establish identities. "India remains continuously engaged with the Russian side to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of all Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces," the minister affirmed.
Personal Pleas and Final Messages
In emotional appeals, Godara's parents, Mahavir Prasad and Kalavati Godara, pleaded with local officials for help after learning of his recruitment. "I sent him to study, why did you throw him into this war? Ajju is my only son. Bring him home at any cost," his mother told the Patrika newspaper.
In videos sent to his family, Godara appeared in military uniform describing dire conditions. He spoke of being part of a four-soldier group fighting near Selydove in the Donetsk region, surviving missile and drone attacks, and witnessing the death of a fellow recruit. "I’ve given my statement that I was forcibly recruited," he said. In another message, he feared for his life, stating the recording "might be his last."
Maurya's family declined to speak to media, but a friend, Pankaj Kumar, told The Hindu the family learned of his death in the Donbas area five days prior. His last contact with home was on 30 August.
The issue extends beyond India. Russia's war effort has seen thousands of foreigners from countries including Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, and Cuba recruited, with many alleging coercion or deception. Ukraine's prisoner of war coordination headquarters reports capturing around 200 foreigners from 37 countries fighting for Russia.
