An Indian student allegedly fighting for Russia has been captured by Ukrainian forces

Ukraine has arrested an Indian national allegedly fighting alongside Russian forces, the first known Indian to be detained in the ongoing war.

Sahil Magothi, 22 years old, from the Indian state of Gujarat, went to Russia to study computer engineering two years ago. His mother claims he was falsely accused in a drug case last April.

Magothy joined the Russian military to avoid prison on drug charges, according to a video released by the Ukrainian military on Tuesday.

The Indian Foreign Ministry says it is investigating the case and has not received any official communication from Ukraine. The BBC asked the Russian government to respond.

In an interview with BBC Gujarati, Magothi’s mother, Hasina Magothi, said that her son went to Russia in January 2024.

He completed a three-month language course in St Petersburg before moving to Moscow to attend university, working part-time as a kitchenware courier.

It alleges that in April 2024, someone inserted drugs into a package delivered to Mr Magothy during his deliveries.

“The police arrested him and charged him,” Hasina said.

According to Ms. Hasina, her son was detained for six months and subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison. The family hired a private lawyer in Russia to defend him, but they had no idea when or how he was drafted into the army.

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

in Video published by the 63rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian ArmyMagothy can be heard saying he was given the choice between joining the Russian army, with pay for his service, or serving a prison sentence.

He said he was told he would serve in the army for a year before being released.

Mr. Magothy claims that different people promised him varying sums of money – from one hundred thousand to more than a million rubles – but he never received any.

He says he underwent 15 days of training in September 2024, and was sent to the battlefield a year later, on September 30.

The next day, October 1, Magothy said he got into an altercation with his commander, after which he separated from the Russian soldiers. He added that this happened when he came across a Ukrainian hideout and asked them for help.

The BBC cannot independently verify the date or location of the video in which he makes these claims.

On Wednesday, after the video went viral, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad interrogated Ms. Hasina and her brother in Ahmedabad. Her relatives said that she separated from her husband when her son was born, and supports her family as a seamstress while living with her maternal relatives.

ATS officials confirmed Mr Magothy’s arrest and subsequent detention in Russia. They said the family claimed to have had no contact with him since his arrest.

At his previous school in Morbi, teachers described Mr Magothy as an “ordinary student” but deeply passionate about fulfilling his mother’s dreams through education. They spoke on condition of anonymity.

Local community leaders also appealed to the government to intervene and secure his return.

“Many young men like him have been trapped and dragged into the war,” Sumra Division said. “We appeal to the government to bring back Sahil and other young Indians who have gone abroad in search of work.”

Magothy’s arrest comes amid growing concerns about the recruitment of Indians into the Russian army. Reports He says more than 150 Indians, some on student or visitor visas, have been recruited. At least 12 people died in the conflict and 16 others are still missing.

In September, Indian officials urged Moscow to release and return 27 Indian nationals who had been conscripted into the army.

The Indian government has constantly advised its citizens not to participate in the war in Ukraine.

“We once again strongly urge all Indian citizens to stay away from offers to serve in the Russian army, as they are fraught with dangers and risks to their lives,” an Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said last month.

Additional reporting by Roxy Jagdekar Chara in Ahmedabad and Nikita Yadav in Delhi

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