Surat man who went to Russia for work goes missing after joining Russian army

39-year-old Ramnik Sakhwala, who had gone to Russia in search of a better livelihood due to the slowdown in Surat's diamond industry, has gone missing after joining the Russian army. Since June 2026, Ramnik's family has had no contact with him, leaving his wife, 16-year-old son, and other relatives in extreme distress, seeking help from the government.

According to a PTI report, Ramnik was previously working in the planning department of a diamond manufacturing unit in Surat. Facing financial difficulties due to the recession in India's diamond industry, he had travelled to Russia in 2025 on a three-month business visa. His visa was subsequently extended for one year. However, in early June 2026, he decided to join the Russian army.

Ramnik's brother, Mahesh Sakhwala, told PTI that when Ramnik went to Russia, his work in Surat's diamond industry was not economically viable, so he went in search of better opportunities. Ramnik had assured the family that his role in the army would not be combat-oriented. He was told that instead of fighting on the battlefield, he would be given a support role, which would involve the responsibility of providing food to soldiers deployed in war zones. According to Mahesh, Ramnik had stated that he was not to take part in any dangerous work or combat, and his responsibility would only be to supply food.

According to the family, Ramnik's last contact was with his wife, Sheetal, on June 24, 2026. At that time, he had said that he would not be able to communicate for the next 10 to 15 days. However, that short period has now stretched to more than four months, and Ramnik's whereabouts remain unknown. The family has no evidence or information regarding Ramnik's status in the army, his current location, or his safety.

Following Ramnik's disappearance, the family has contacted various authorities. Mahesh Sakhwala stated that he had approached the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, but officials informed him that since Ramnik had obtained a Russian passport, they would now have to contact the Russian Federation for further assistance. Mahesh also mentioned that Ramnik had shared a photograph of his passport and other documents with the family.

According to an NDTV report, the family also contacted the Gujarat State Non-Resident Gujarati Foundation via email to locate Ramnik. Amidst the ongoing war by Russia against Ukraine, foreign citizens are being recruited into the army, and cases have emerged where some Indians who went to Russia for employment have become trapped in military recruitment, increasing safety concerns among families.

Currently, Ramnik's family has no proof of his survival and is appealing to the government and the Indian Embassy for help to ascertain where Ramnik is and what his condition is.