Kanpur, 07 Sept (HS): The wife of a Kanpur-based engineer claims that her

husband was held by authorities in Moscow and that she is scared he would be

persuaded to join the Russian military. She has petitioned Prime Minister

Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for immediate

assistance in obtaining his safe return.

Sneha Chandan Gupta, a Moscow resident, posted a video on social media in which

she stated that her husband, Chandan Gupta, was detained by Moscow police at

12.30 p.m. on Sunday. Sneha claimed she is now trapped in Moscow with their

10-year-old kid and has no idea what to do. According to Sneha, Chandan is an

engineer and they live in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

She said he works for a firm in Noida's Sector 62 and traveled to Russia on

a work visa for an assignment. She petitioned the Indian and Uttar Pradesh

governments to intercede and assist in securely returning her spouse. Sneha

maintained that her husband had done nothing wrong, yet he was nevertheless

held and arrested. She also alleged that following his imprisonment, he was

being pressured to join the Russian army.

She said that a lack of people in the Russian military had resulted in attempts

to recruit foreign nationals, notably Indians, into the armed services. Sneha

also stated that her husband was harassed before to his detention on Moscow

Day.

However, there is no independent confirmation of his incarceration, claims

against him, or if a formal procedure to enroll him in the Russian military has

begun. Sneha seemed distraught when requesting assistance from the Indian

government. She stated that she does not speak Russian and hence has no idea

what is happening to her husband or why he has been held.

She also stated that the couple has a 10-year-old son, and that the situation

has caused much pain in the family. Sneha asked people to share her video

widely and urged the authorities to take notice of the situation. She

especially requested help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to secure her husband's safe return to India.

Chandan is apparently working in Russia for an Indian firm based in Noida

that also has operations in Russia. However, no official statement has been

released by the corporation, the Indian Embassy, or Russian authorities

confirming his imprisonment or the accusation that he is being persuaded to

join the Russian military.

The case follows prior worries about Indian people traveling to Russia after

being recruited for jobs and then being involved in Russian military

activities. Chandan is apparently working in Russia for an Indian firm based in

Noida that also has operations in Russia. However, no official statement has

yet been issued by the corporation, the Indian Embassy, or Russian authorities

confirming his imprisonment or the accusation that he was persuaded to join the

Russian military.

For the time being, critical aspects remain unknown, including the specific

cause for Chandan's incarceration, his current whereabouts, and whether or not

the process of enlisting him in the Russian military has commenced.

As of December 2025, during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, 202 Indians have been

recruited into Russian military, with 26 dead and seven reported missing. The

Indian government stated that some were misled or pressured into military

service and was trying to ensure their release and repatriation. It also

coordinated DNA-based identification of deceased Indians.

Separately, several Indians had joined Ukraine's International Legion, with

losses recorded on both sides. Diplomatic efforts have resulted in the release

of 139 people, with around two dozen remaining in Russia.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi