A youth from Visakhapatnam, who travelled to Russia in search of a job to support his family, has allegedly been forced into the Russian armed forces and deployed to the active warfront between Russia and Ukraine.Jetti Vamsi, a resident of JNNURM Colony near Duvvada in Gajuwaka mandal, was initially stranded on the streets of Russia after his recruitment agent allegedly abandoned him. Taking advantage of his vulnerable situation, an agent of Nepalese origin allegedly lured him into joining the Russian military by promising him a job in food packaging and military logistics.According to his family, the agent and other intermediaries had promised Vamsi and several other job seekers safe, non-combat roles.
However, they were allegedly made to sign service contracts written entirely in Russian, without being informed of their actual terms.Instead of the promised jobs, the youths were allegedly deployed near the frontline along the Ukraine border. They were reportedly forced to dig defence trenches, construct bunkers and undertake other high-risk assignments amid intense military operations.In a selfie video sent to his mother, Jetti Appalakonda, Vamsi expressed fears that it could be his last message to the family.
He alleged that Russian military personnel were forcibly taking recruits in transport vans and dropping them at battle zones.Of the five youths who had travelled together, only Vamsi and his friend Satheesh are currently traceable, while the other three have reportedly gone missing after being moved to high-intensity conflict zones over the past two months.“We are being forced into active warfare against our will. My friend disappeared right before my eyes.
If we refuse to march into battle, they haul us into vans and drop us at the frontlines. I don’t know if I will survive to return home,” Vamsi said in the video, which was shared on social media.Appealing to the State government through media persons in Visakhapatnam on Monday, Ms.
Appalakonda broke down while seeking the intervention of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K.
Pawan Kalyan and Minister for Information Technology and Electronics Nara Lokesh to secure her son’s safe return.A single mother who lost her husband, Ms. Appalakonda said she was struggling to raise her daughter and son.
Vamsi was the family’s sole breadwinner, she said, pleading with the government to bring him back home safely.Speaking to The Hindu, Duvvada Circle Inspector N. Ganesh said the police had begun an inquiry following directions from higher authorities.“We are inquiring into the case, including the role of the agent and details of the victims, and will submit a report to the authorities concerned.
No formal complaint has been received at our police station from the parents or family members of the youth so far,” he said.Responding to the issue, Mr. Lokesh said in a post on X that urgent official intervention was needed to help the Visakhapatnam youths stranded in Russia.
He urged the authorities concerned to take steps to ensure their safe and speedy return to India. Published - November 02, 2026 06:30 pm IST