Ludhiana: A local family is grieving the death of a young man who travelled to Russia for education and work, only to be killed while reportedly serving as a soldier in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.Samarjeet Singh, a resident of Daba village, moved to Russia in 2025 to pursue better career opportunities while continuing his studies. His family’s concern grew when they were shown images of Samarjeet Singh in a Russian military uniform and carrying a weapon. Communication with him was lost in Sept 2025, prompting his relatives to spend months pleading with Indian govt agencies and the external affairs ministry for assistance.The family’s worst fears were confirmed on March 11, 2026, when Russian officials notified them that Samarjeet Singh had died. His remains have been sent to Delhi for repatriation. “We tried everything, but nobody supported us when we needed it most,” said his father, Charanjeet Singh. “Now all we have is his uniform, a death certificate, and documents in Russian that we cannot even read.”The family remains in a state of shock, supported by local legislator Rajinder Pal Kaur Chhina, who visited the home to promise it govt aid. Despite earlier appeals to the deputy commissioner and various state and central ministers, the family says their efforts to reach Samarjeet Singh before his death were unsuccessful. The tragic outcome highlights the growing concerns regarding how Indian nationals are being recruited into foreign military service under the guise of employment or study opportunities.
