Kanpur Engineer Detained in Moscow, Wife Seeks PM Modi’s Help Over Alleged Pressure to Join Russian Army

A Kanpur-based engineer has allegedly been detained by Moscow police, with his wife claiming he is being pressured to join the Russian military and seeking urgent government intervention.

Engineer Detained During Russia Work Visit

Chandan Gupta, an engineer from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was reportedly taken into custody by Moscow police at around 12.30 pm on Sunday, according to his wife, Sneha Chandan Gupta.

Sneha, who is currently in Moscow with their 10-year-old son, made the allegations in a social media video and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to intervene.

She said Chandan had travelled to Russia on a work visa for an assignment. He is associated with a company based in Sector 62, Noida, which also has operations in Russia.

According to Sneha, her husband had not committed any wrongdoing but was nevertheless detained and taken to jail.

Wife Alleges Pressure to Join Russian Military

The most serious allegation concerns what happened after Chandan's detention.

Sneha claimed that her husband was being pressured to join the Russian military. She alleged that shortages of personnel in the Russian armed forces had led to attempts to recruit foreign nationals, including Indians.

She also claimed that Chandan had faced harassment around the time of Moscow Day celebrations before he was detained.

The allegations have not been independently verified. There is currently no confirmation from Russian authorities that Chandan is being forced or pressured to enlist in the Russian military.

His exact location, the reason for his detention and whether any formal recruitment process has been initiated remain unclear.

Family Appeals to PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath

Sneha said she does not understand Russian, making it difficult for her to establish why her husband was detained or what proceedings are taking place.

In her emotional appeal, she asked the Indian and Uttar Pradesh governments to intervene and help secure Chandan's safe return to India.

The couple's 10-year-old son is currently with Sneha in Moscow, adding to the family's distress, she said.

She also urged people to share her appeal widely so that authorities take up the matter.

No Official Confirmation Yet

There has been no official statement so far from Chandan's employer, the Indian Embassy in Moscow or Russian authorities confirming the detention or the allegation that he is being pressured to join the Russian military.

The case comes against the backdrop of concerns over Indians travelling to Russia after being offered jobs and later becoming involved in the Russian military.

The circumstances surrounding Chandan's case, however, remain subject to verification.

Previous Cases of Indians Joining Russian Forces

The issue of Indians being recruited or misled into Russian military service has emerged during the Russia-Ukraine war.

According to figures cited by the Indian government, 202 Indians had been recruited into Russian forces by December 2025. Of them, 26 had been killed and seven were reported missing.

The government had said some Indians were misled or coerced into military service and was pursuing their discharge and repatriation.

Diplomatic efforts have since secured the release of 139 Indian nationals, while around two dozen were still reported to be in Russia.

In July 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs warned Indians about fraudulent overseas employment offers following cases in which citizens were allegedly misled into joining the Russian military.

The Supreme Court has also directed measures to assist affected families, including the appointment of nodal officers, DNA testing, legal aid, compensation and repatriation assistance.

For Chandan Gupta's family, the immediate concern remains his whereabouts and safe return. Any confirmation about the circumstances of his detention or alleged military recruitment will depend on information from the authorities.