What began as a move to Russia for education has left a 23-year-old student from Gujarat caught in the middle of the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Sahil Mahmad Husen Majothi, from Morbi, travelled to Russia in January 2024 on a student visa to study Russian language and culture. Within months, he was arrested in a narcotics case and sentenced to seven years in prison.
He later signed a contract with the Russian military while in prison and was sent towards the frontline in Ukraine. He eventually surrendered to Ukrainian forces and is now being held in Ukraine, according to the latest report by The Indian Express.
His mother, Hasinaben Majothi, has since been fighting to bring her only son back to India. She has approached the Delhi High Court seeking government intervention, while continuing to appeal for help. As per the Independent, she is also undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
From Russia for studies to a prison sentence
Sahil arrived in St Petersburg on January 10, 2024, on a student visa and enrolled to study Russian Language and Culture at ITMO University. While studying, he also worked part-time as a courier, his family has said. On April 10, 2024, he was arrested in connection with a narcotics case.
Sahil's family has maintained that he was wrongly implicated in the case while working as a courier. He was subsequently sentenced to seven years in a Russian prison. The Indian embassy had met him in June 2024 and remained in contact with his family, according to the court proceedings reported by The Indian Express.
‘I didn’t want to stay in prison’
While in prison, Sahil signed a contract with the Russian military. In a video released after his surrender, he explained that he had joined the Russian forces because he did not want to remain in prison. The Independent reported that Sahil said he had been convicted on drug charges in Russia and had subsequently gone to fight after signing the military contract.
Sahil's account of how he ended up in the Russian military has since become an important part of his family's appeal for help.
In a later video message, Sahil said he had been “misled by Russian police” and described signing the military contract as the “biggest mistake” of his life, reported The Indian Express. His family has also alleged that he was manipulated and forced into the situation.
From the battlefield to Ukrainian captivity
Sahil was subsequently sent towards the frontline. He crossed towards Ukrainian positions and surrendered to Ukrainian forces. A video released by the Ukrainian military showed him in custody, identifying himself as an Indian from Gujarat.
The Independent had earlier reported in October 2025 that Ukrainian forces had released a video of Sahil after his surrender. At the time, Indian officials were working to verify the authenticity of the video and there had been no formal communication from Ukrainian authorities to New Delhi.
In the video, Sahil spoke about his arrest in Russia and his decision to join the Russian military rather than remain in prison. He later sent messages to his family and appealed directly to the Indian government.
“Right now I am stuck in Ukraine as a war criminal. Now I am hopeless, I don’t know what will happen in future,” he said in one of the messages, according to The Indian Express. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar for help.
‘Please take all steps to bring him back’
Sahil's mother subsequently approached the Delhi High Court, seeking government intervention to secure his release and return.
During the proceedings, the Centre placed before the court details of Sahil's movements and communication between Indian officials and Russian authorities. The court directed the government to take steps to establish contact with Ukrainian authorities and work towards his repatriation.
The court directed that efforts be made to establish contact with the Ukrainian side and that Sahil's family be kept informed.
For his mother, Hasinaben, the wait has been particularly difficult. She is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, with her condition currently in remission, while continuing her efforts to secure her son's return.
A warning for Indians travelling to Russia
In one of his messages from Ukrainian custody, Sahil also addressed Indians considering Russia for education or employment. “Those Indians coming to Russia for higher studies or work, be careful because there are so many scammers here,” he said.
Sahil left Gujarat as a student hoping to study in Russia. Within months, he was arrested and sentenced to prison. He later signed a Russian military contract, was sent towards the battlefield and eventually surrendered to Ukrainian forces. He is now in Ukrainian custody, while his mother continues to seek government intervention to bring him home.
