A 22-year-old man from Haryana, Ravi Moun, has died on the Russian frontline, his family said on Sunday. According to his family members, he was forced to battle against Ukrainian forces.
The Indian embassy in Moscow has confirmed the death of Ravi Moun from Matour village in the Kaithal district, though it did not specify the circumstances.
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Ravi’s elder brother, Ajay Moun, told The Indian Express that the embassy has asked for DNA test reports from the family, particularly from their mother. “As we have lost our mother, we will be sending the DNA test report of our father to the Indian embassy soon,” Ajay said.
This follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding Indian nationals serving in the Russian military. During their meeting earlier this month, Modi requested their prompt release, and the Russian side assured that all Indian nationals would be discharged from the Russian Army soon.
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In June, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the deaths of two Indians who had been recruited by the Russian Army for the conflict with Ukraine, one of whom was from Amritsar. Additionally, in March, two more Indian nationals from Surat and Hyderabad were killed on the battlefield.
Ravi’s family members shared that he had gone to Russia in January this year. He was one of three siblings, including a sister, and had studied up to Class 10. His brother Ajay revealed that the family had spent Rs 11.5 lakh to send Ravi to Russia, selling their one-acre land to cover the costs. An agent from their village had promised them a transportation job for Ravi in Russia.
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Ajay claimed that Ravi was inducted into the Russian Army, and the family later saw photos of him in uniform. He alleged that the Russian Army forced Ravi to go to the frontline to battle Ukrainian forces, threatening him with 10 years of imprisonment if he refused.
According to Ajay, Ravi received training to dig trenches. “We were in contact with him until March 12. On that day, he told us that he had been on the battlefield since March 6 and had to go back to the battlefield again. After that, we lost contact with him,” Ajay said.
On July 21, Ajay emailed the Indian embassy in Moscow to inquire about his brother. In response, Gloria Dung Dung, Second Secretary at the Embassy of India in Moscow, confirmed Ravi’s death a few days later.
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“The Embassy had requested the concerned Russian Authorities for confirmation of his death and transportation of his mortal remains as requested by you. The Russian side had confirmed the death. However, to identify the body they need a DNA test from his close relatives, especially a DNA test from his mother,” the embassy wrote.
“As conveyed to you on phone, it is requested that a DNA test may please be done in India from a registered hospital/ government hospital from his mother and the report be shared with the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The report will be shared with concerned Russian Authorities for identification of the body as requested by them,” it added.
Meanwhile, Ravi’s family has urged Prime Minister Modi to assist them in bringing the body back to India, as they lack the financial means to do so.
