An Indian engineer from Kanpur, Chandan Gupta, has reportedly been detained in Moscow, with his wife, Sneha Gupta, alleging that he is being pressured to join the Russian military. Sneha, currently in Moscow with their 10-year-old son, has issued an emotional plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for assistance.
According to Sneha, Moscow police took her husband into custody around 12:30 PM on Sunday. She claims Chandan, who works as an engineer for a Noida-based company and was in Russia on a work visa, has been jailed despite having committed no wrongdoing. Her primary concern is the alleged coercion to enlist him in the Russian army, citing a purported shortage of personnel leading to recruitment efforts targeting foreign nationals.
Family's Urgent Appeal
In a video shared on social media, Sneha, visibly distressed, explained that her inability to understand Russian has left her unable to ascertain the exact reasons for her husband's detention or his current status. She highlighted the profound distress this situation has caused their family, particularly their young son. Sneha urged the public to share her video widely in hopes of prompting swift government intervention to bring her husband back to India safely.
Unconfirmed Details and Broader Context
As of now, there has been no independent confirmation regarding the circumstances of Chandan Gupta's detention, the specific allegations against him, or whether any formal process to enlist him in the Russian military has been initiated. Neither the company Chandan works for nor the Indian Embassy or Russian authorities have issued official statements confirming his detention or the allegations made by his wife.
This case emerges amid ongoing concerns about Indian nationals being recruited or coerced into Russian military service, particularly against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Previous reports indicate that hundreds of Indians were recruited into Russian forces, with some casualties and missing persons reported.
In December 2025, it was reported that 202 Indians had been recruited into Russian forces, resulting in 26 deaths and seven missing. The Indian government has stated that some individuals were misled or coerced into service and has been working to secure their discharge and repatriation. Diplomatic efforts have reportedly led to the release of 139 nationals, though around two dozen reportedly remain in Russia. The Ministry of External Affairs had previously warned Indians against fraudulent overseas job offers that could lead to military involvement.
“My husband has not done anything wrong but was still detained and taken to jail. He is being pressured to join the Russian army,” Sneha Gupta stated in her appeal.
Many details surrounding Chandan Gupta’s case remain unclear, including his precise current location and the specific charges, if any, leading to his detention.