Though President Vladimir Putin had agreed for the release of Indian nationals who wished to return to India following discussions with PM Modi, Gagandeep Singh says his commander denied getting any orders from the government for their release.

“My commander has told me that he did not receive any order to release us. Now, the whole unit is going to the frontline, and I have also been told to join the unit. I request the Indian government to talk to Russia and arrange our visit back to India,” he said.

Singh was sent back from the frontline due to a knee injury, due to which he had access to the internet and could talk to The Indian Express when Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Indian youth being recruited into the Russian Army during his visit to the country.

“Here, all the officers know about the announcement made by Putin that we will be released. We were earlier informed that we would be sent back home,” Gagandeep Singh who is recovering from the injury said in a message to The Indian Express.

Other Indian friends from his unit are already on the frontline, Singh said, adding that three of them had made a brief visit one by one to their camp which is at a secure place.

“My friends told me that the situation is very serious at the frontline. One youth from Uttar Pradesh was on the frontline. He came back only last night and explained the horrific conditions at the frontline. I have not been able to talk to my Punjabi friends for many days as they are all on the front line. They have been sending maximum force to the frontline,” Gagandeep mentioned.