 "Who is Faisal Khan, the YouTuber who duped Indians to work for Russian army?")
Two Indians have died after being tricked into the Russia-Ukraine war.
As the investigation continues into the matter, the role of an Indian YouTuber, who lured people with the promise of lucrative jobs in the Russian military, has come to light.
The Ministry of External Affairs is “strongly” addressing the matter and has sought the “early discharge” of Indian citizens duped into working for the Russian army.
Let’s take a closer look.
Who is Faisal Khan?
Faisal Khan, in his mid-30s, runs a manpower consulting firm that provides workers in several countries, according to The Indian Express.
A class six dropout from Mumbai’s Dadar, he went to Dubai in 2008 to work as a salesman. He started his consultancy in 2016. He later started his YouTube channel named Baba Vlogs, which has about three lakh followers.
While he primarily focused on sending individuals to Dubai, he expanded to other countries from October 2022, including Armenia, Croatia, and Singapore, reported Times Now.
He posted his last video on 8 January in which he is seen talking about a visit visa to New Zealand.
In 2018, he was questioned by Indian authorities after a man he sent to Dubai claimed he had been converted to Islam.
According to the Indian Express, he began promoting jobs in Russia in July 2023.
What happened?
In his videos, Khan claimed those working for the Russian Army will get salaries ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 1 lakh after undergoing three months of training.
Impact Shorts
View AllHe claimed in the videos that the army needed manpower to clear demolished buildings and take care of arms and ammunition.
He also demanded an initial fee of Rs 3 lakh for his company. He also claimed there wouldn’t be any risk involved and that he had personally verified the safety of the jobs on offer.
In one such video in September 2023, Faisal Khan promised his viewers that apart from a hefty salary, those joining the Russian army would also get a government card, which would help them get permanent residency.
However, many of them were later pressed into the war.
He allegedly sent a large number of Indians to Russia, one of whom was Mohammed Afsan, who died in the war in Ukraine.
Faisal Khan told the Indian Express that he sent 35 people to Russia. He was told by handlers in Russia that they would not be deployed on the front lines. He said he himself is a victim.
Khan claimed he tried to get them back. He also said what happened after these men reached Russia was beyond his control.
Khan said all those who went to Russia were aware of the risks.
In his remarks to Indian Express, Khan defended his actions, stating that if he was guilty, he would not be leaving traces by uploading videos on YouTube. He stated that he had no intention to deceive.
While speaking to News18, Faisal Khan earlier said that nothing he had done was “illegal," adding that he had been working in this field for the last seven years, sending over “1,000 persons” to work abroad. He said that he had built a “trust” in the market.
Who are the victims?
Mohammed Asfan, 30, of Hyderabad, was declared dead by the MEA on 6 March. A commerce graduate, Afsan previously worked at a men’s clothing store. Afsan was sent to Russia in December after being promised work in the role of a helper.
A 23-year-old Indian man from Gujarat who was serving as a “helper” for the Russian Army during its continuing conflict with Ukraine was the other person killed in the Russia-Ukraine war. He passed away in Russia.
The man, named Hamil Mangukiya, had travelled from Chennai to Moscow after applying online for a job in Russia, according to Livemint. The Russian Army then recruited him as an aide.
On 21 February, Mangukiya died in an attack by Ukraine in the Donetsk region of the border between Russia and Ukraine.
What did the Indian government say?
On Friday, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that it had “strongly” addressed the issue of Indians who were reportedly tricked into joining the Russian army during its conflict with Ukraine.
The MEA stated that they are requesting the “early discharge” of these citizens of India.
“Several Indian nationals have been duped to work with the Russian Army. We have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian government for early discharge of such Indian nationals," the MEA statement read.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “Around 20 people have contacted us and we are doing our best to locate them. We are in touch with the Russian authorities…”
The statement further stated that, following searches in multiple locations and the gathering of evidence implicating the CBI, the agency had taken down a human trafficking network.
“We once again appeal to Indian nationals to not be swayed by offers made by agents for support jobs with the Russian Army. This is fraught with danger and risk to life. We remain committed to the early release of our nationals serving as support staff with the Russian Army and their eventual return home.” the statement read.
With inputs from agencies
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