HYDERABAD: While many youth from India, who were trapped in a major
job fraud
in
Russia
that landed them in 'danger zone' near war-torn Ukraine, are desperate to get out of Russia, two vloggers from India have come under the scanner.
While one of them, Baba, paints a rosy picture for youth to travel to Russia to take up jobs, including army jobs, another
vlogger
, Pathan, advises them against falling into the trap and landing themselves in danger.
Some of those who were taken to Moscow in Dec 2023 on the promise of securing jobs of security personnel and helpers by Baba, who facilitated their entry into Russia, have spoken in videos - sent to their families - about the dangers they are facing on the Ukraine border and seeking help from Indian govt to bring them back. In one of his videos, Pathan also showed himself in army fatigues surrounded by several guns.
TOI is in possession of a contract that one of the youth was made to sign after he landed in Moscow. The contract looks 'official', is in Russian language and clearly indicates that their services are 'private'.
Baba, who advertises for recruiting youngsters in various countries, including Russia, made it clear in his vlog - made on the streets of Moscow - that taking up jobs in Russian army was safe. "You will not be required to fight or handle a weapon," he said in his vlog.
However, Pathan disputes this , saying safety is a big concern. "For the sake of making easy money by promising jobs, some recruiters are sending youngsters to Russia and putting them in a dangerous situation," he said in his vlog 'F2 Pathan Vlogs'.
"Russians are friendly people. They have regard for Indians and love Bollywood movies. I have had a stint in the army here but I would advise them against getting recruited into the Russian army," Pathan said.
An Indian youth who was stranded in Russia also featured in Pathan's vlog saying how he saw people suffering in war zones near Ukraine border and how some of those who have been recruited into the army were maimed in the war.
Hyderabad MP and AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi said he was aware of at least 12 youth having been lured to Russia and sent to warfront against their consent by recruiting agents. Among them were two youth from Telangana (one from Narayanpet district), two from Kalaburagi, three from Gujarat, two from Kashmir and one from Uttar Pradesh, Owaisi said.
He said one of the recruiting agents, Faisal Khan was operating from Dubai and runs a YouTube channel 'Baba Vlogs'. He said two others - Sufiyan and Pooja - operate from Mumbai to recruit youngsters for jobs abroad. He said two more agents, Ramesh and Moin, operate from Russia.
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