Ex-Army Man’s Harrowing Journey: Tricked into Russia-Ukraine War, Bengal Soldier Returns Home as a Survivor, Not a Fighter

Kolkata: For 47-year-old Urgen Tamang and his family, the moment he arrived at Bagdogra airport in West Bengal was nothing short of a miracle. The retired Indian Army havildar had just returned from an unexpected battlefield — the Russia-Ukraine war. But Tamang didn’t volunteer for this fight. Instead, he was tricked into it by unscrupulous recruiting agents, his dream of securing a better-paying job abroad turning into a nightmare.

The Journey from Job Search to War Zone

Urgen Tamang, who had retired from the Indian Army in 2018, was seeking a better life post-retirement. Like many veterans, he hoped to find employment abroad that would offer him a higher salary. After briefly working as a private security guard in Gujarat, Tamang's quest for a more lucrative job led him to Russia.

On January 18, 2024, Tamang left for Moscow, under the impression that he had secured a position as a security guard. However, upon arrival in Moscow, the situation took a grim turn. Instead of the peaceful job he had anticipated, he was taken to a military camp, where he underwent combat training. Soon after, Tamang was coerced into signing a bond and moved to a jungle camp for further training in handling firearms and ammunition. Unbeknownst to him, he was being prepped for frontline deployment in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Forced Into War

The ex-serviceman, like many others, was deceived into thinking he would be working a safe job. But the reality was far from it. Tamang was thrust into a war zone he had no desire to be part of. With little knowledge of the conflict and no choice but to follow orders, he found himself in the midst of a brutal battle, fighting for survival.

Now back home, Tamang reflects on his time in the war, calling his return a "miracle." Surviving the chaos and violence of the frontline and making it home just in time for Durga Puja was, in his words, the "greatest gift" he could have ever received.

The Homecoming

The emotional homecoming at Bagdogra airport was nothing short of a community celebration. As news of his return spread, people from his hometown of Kalimpong gathered to welcome him back with open arms. For his family, who had lived in fear and uncertainty, his safe return was an overwhelming relief.

Tamang’s story sheds light on the darker side of international recruiting scams, where vulnerable individuals, eager for better prospects, are deceived into situations far beyond their control. His ordeal highlights the importance of staying cautious when seeking jobs abroad and the dangers that lurk behind seemingly innocent offers.

A Cautionary Tale

Urgen Tamang’s experience is a stark reminder of the perils of blindly trusting recruitment agents, especially in international settings. As more people look to foreign shores for employment opportunities, his story serves as a warning to thoroughly investigate job offers and to remain vigilant to avoid falling into similar traps.

While Tamang’s nightmare has finally come to an end, his harrowing journey will undoubtedly leave a lasting mark on him and his family. Now, back in the safety of his home, Tamang can finally begin to heal and move on from the traumatic experience of being drawn into a war he never chose to fight.