Rohtak family pleads for son’s return from Ukraine war zone

A distressed family from Taimurpur (Jethpur) village in Rohtak district has appealed to the Indian Government to rescue their 29-year-old son, Sandeep, who has been stuck in the Russia-Ukraine war zone for over a month after being forcibly sent to the frontlines.

According to the family, Sandeep had gone to Russia last year to study and work part-time, but was later inducted into the Russian army against his will and deployed to Ukraine without proper training.

‘He is surviving on one meal a day’

In a recent call to his family, Sandeep revealed that he was living in a bunker, surviving on one porridge meal a day, and frequently sent on patrol duty amid landmines and drone attacks. “His passport and phone have been confiscated. He just wants to come back home,” said his mother Saroj, breaking down in tears. 

The family has written to the Prime Minister, Haryana Chief Minister, and Rohtak Deputy Commissioner, but has received no response so far.

Forced into combat duty 

His elder brother Vikas, who works at a barber shop, said Sandeep had accepted a helper-cook position but was made to undergo only 15 days of rifle training before being sent to a captured Ukrainian city. “He was tricked into combat duty,” said Vikas. A friend from the same village, Vikram, added that Sandeep’s life was in grave danger and urged the government to intervene urgently.

Sandeep’s ailing father, Bakshi Ram, folded his hands in appeal, saying the family had no resources or connections to bring him back. “We are poor people. Our only hope is the government,” he said.

Appeal for intervention

Local residents have also demanded that the Ministry of External Affairs take immediate diplomatic action to secure Sandeep’s release and prevent similar exploitation of Indian youths abroad.