An Indian national deployed by the Russian army in the war against Ukraine, Urgen Tamang, has revealed that 13 out of the 15 non-Russians in his group have been killed. He is hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 8 meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin will lead to his release and safe return to India.
Tamang, 47, hailing from Kalimpong in West Bengal, shared this information in a new video sent on July 11 to Rabi Pradhan, chairman of the Kalimpong Municipality board of administrators. While HT has not independently verified the video, it follows an earlier video he sent from the war zone in late March. In that video, Tamang claimed he was forcibly deployed to the conflict after only 10-12 days of weapon training.
“I have been trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war since March. Many have died. Out of the 15 non-Russians with me, 13 are dead. Only a Sri Lankan and I are still alive,” Tamang stated in the latest video.
A former Indian Army soldier and father of two young daughters, Tamang served for 18 years before traveling to Russia in March. He alleged that agents promising him a job as a security officer in Russia duped him, resulting in his forced participation in the war.
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“I have been in contact with the chairman of Kalimpong Municipality, who checks on my wellbeing. He informed me that Modi discussed the release of all Indians with the Russian President during his visit to Russia. I am hopeful that I will return home alive,” he expressed.
Tamang appealed to the Indian government for the swift release of all Indians caught in the conflict. Pradhan, who speaks with Tamang almost daily, reported that Tamang has been near Crimea recently. He and a few other non-Russians were sent there for rest but are expected to return to the frontlines.
Tamang and his family in Himali Gaon, Kalimpong, are now relying on the outcome of the Modi-Putin meeting for his safe return. His family disclosed that agents took ₹6 lakh from him under the pretense of securing a lucrative security job in Russia but instead forced him into combat for Russia in the war against Ukraine.
