Indian man hired as Russian Army helper dies at the Ukraine border

A 23-year-old man from Gujarat was killed at the Russia-Ukraine border on February 21.

The Hindu reported that the man, identified as Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya, was hired as a security helper by the Russian Army in December 2023 and was deployed in the war zone with Ukraine. He was subsequently killed in a Ukrainian airstrike targeting the Russian Army unit in Donetsk.

Ashvinbhai Mangukiya, father of the deceased, told The Hindu that he spoke to Hemil a day before his death. However, he refused to provide details on the nature of his work in Russia.

Reports suggest, more than 100 Indian citizens have been hired by the Russian Army over the past year, and that at least three of them were forced to fight along with the Russian forces.

23-year-old Sameer Ahmad from Karnataka, who also works as a helper, told the Hindu that Hemil died after he was struck by a missile while he was at a shooting practice.

Sameer along with another Indian was digging a trench 150 meters away when they heard some noise. They hid in a trench along with Russian soldiers as the missile struck.

Sameer said he found Hemil dead when he got out of the trench, and that he was left to take care of the body on his own.

Indian authorities on Friday said they have contacted the Russian authorities for the early discharge of Indians working as support staff in the Russian army.