It has been 15 agonizing months—15 months filled with unanswered questions, restless nights, and diminishing hope. For over a dozen Indian families, the agony of waiting has transformed into an unyielding pursuit of truth—about the sons, brothers, and husbands who disappeared into a war that wasn’t theirs. Beneath the scorching summer sun at Delhi’s renowned protest ground—Jantar Mantar—a group of grief-stricken families assembled on Wednesday. Holding posters and photos of their loved ones, they demanded clarity. Their eyes reflected a sorrow that official records fail to capture—a grief rooted in uncertainty. These families believe their men were compelled to fight in Russia’s ruthless war against Ukraine.

“We’re not asking for the impossible. We just want to know whether our children are alive or dead,” said Jagdeep Kumar, his voice choked with emotion. His younger brother, Mandeep Kumar, has been untraceable since March 2024.

The families allege that the missing men were enticed by deceitful agents who lured them with promises of well-paying jobs in Europe. Instead, they found themselves trapped in a web of coercion and conscription in a distant, unfamiliar conflict.

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“We appeal with folded hands for information on those missing in the Russian military. If our plea is ignored, we will be compelled to protest twice every month,” read a letter addressed to the Ministry of External Affairs by the group.

Some relatives even travelled to Russia in desperate attempts to locate their loved ones or at least receive assistance from the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

“Those who went sought help from every possible source, but no one responded—not even our own embassy in Russia,” one mother murmured, tears filling her eyes.

“I exhausted every resource I had trying to bring my brother home. But I couldn’t succeed,” said Jagdeep, who claimed he was cheated by agents who promised to send four individuals—including his brother—from Armenia to Italy via Russia, Finland, and Germany. Three sensed danger and returned home, suspecting the infamous ‘donkey route’—a notorious illegal migration trail.

“My brother stayed behind, and soon after, I received threatening videos showing him being beaten. The agents then demanded more money,” Jagdeep added. A police case was filed in Punjab, and while some agents were arrested, the broader trafficking network continues to thrive, and justice remains out of reach.

What deepens their sorrow is the silence. Jagdeep’s last conversation with his brother was on March 3 of the previous year. “He was frightened. He told me he’d been forced into the Russian Army and had started training near the Ukrainian front,” he recalled. That was the last he heard.

Now, the protestors are seeking formal approval to revisit Russia—this time armed with a letter from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar requesting Indian officials to provide full support.

“Every day that passes feels like another punishment. We won’t rest until we uncover the truth,” said another protestor softly, holding her son’s photograph close.