UP engineer detained in Moscow, pressured to join Russian military, claims wife

A Kanpur engineer's wife has alleged that Moscow police detained her husband during a work visit. She has appealed to the Indian government for urgent help amid claims he is being pressured to join the Russian military.For now, key details remain unclear, including the exact reason for Chandan's detention, his current location and whether any process to enlist him in the Russian military has actually begun. (Credits: Instagram/Sneha Chandan Gupta)The wife of a Kanpur-based engineer has claimed that her husband was detained by police in Moscow and is being pressured to join the Russian military. She has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for immediate intervention and help in securing his safe return.Sneha Chandan Gupta, who is based in Moscow, shared a video on social media in which she said that her husband, Chandan Gupta, was taken into custody by Moscow police at around 12.30 pm on Sunday.According to Sneha, they are a resident of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandan works as an engineer. She said he is associated with a company based in Noida's Sector 62 and had travelled to Russia on a work visa for an assignment.WIFE CLAIMS PRESSURE TO JOIN RUSSIAN ARMYSneha claimed that her husband had not committed any wrongdoing but was nevertheless detained and taken to jail. She further claimed that after his detention, pressure was being put on him to join the Russian army. She said that a shortage of personnel in the Russian military had led to attempts to recruit foreign nationals, including Indians, into the country's armed forces.Sneha also claimed that her husband was harassed around Moscow Day before he was detained. However, there is currently no independent confirmation of the circumstances surrounding his detention, the allegations against him, or whether any formal process has been initiated to enlist him in the Russian military.FAMILY SEEKS HELP FROM PM MODI, YOGI ADITYANATHIn her video, Sneha appeared emotional while seeking help from the Indian government. She said she does not understand Russian and has therefore been unable to determine exactly what is happening to her husband or why he has been detained.She also said the couple has a 10-year-old son and that the family has been left deeply distressed by the situation.Sneha appealed to people to share her video widely and urged the authorities to take note of the case. She specifically sought intervention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ensure her husband's safe return to India.NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION YETChandan is reportedly working in Russia through an Indian company headquartered in Noida, which also has business operations in Russia. However, no official statement has so far emerged from the company, the Indian Embassy or Russian authorities confirming his detention or the allegation that he is being pressured to join the Russian military.The case comes amid previous concerns over Indian nationals travelling to Russia after being recruited for jobs and subsequently becoming involved in Russian military activities.For now, key details remain unclear, including the exact reason for Chandan's detention, his current location and whether any process to enlist him in the Russian military has actually begun.INDIANS IN RUSSIAN FORCES: A GROWING PATTERN?As of December 2025, Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, 202 Indians had been recruited into Russian forces, with 26 killed and seven reported missing.The Indian government said some were misled or coerced into military service and was working to secure their discharge and repatriation. It was also coordinating DNA-based identification of deceased Indians.Separately, some Indian nationals had joined Ukraine’s International Legion, with casualties reported on both sides.In July 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs warned Indians against fraudulent overseas job offers following cases of citizens being misled into joining the Russian military.Diplomatic efforts have secured the release of 139 nationals, while around two dozen remain in Russia.The Supreme Court has also directed measures to support affected families, including nodal officers, DNA testing, legal aid, compensation and repatriation assistance.- EndsPublished By: Ritaban MisraPublished On: Sep 7, 2026 12:24 IST