In a shocking revelation, the role of an Indian man who allegedly lured several compatriots to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs in the military has come to light after two Indians lost their lives in the midst of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The man at the center of this disturbing scheme has been identified as Faisal Abdul Mutallib Khan, the owner of a recruitment agency and a popular YouTube channel called Baba Vlogs.According to reports, Khan is accused of enticing numerous Indian men to Russia under the guise of offering well-paying non-combat roles within the Russian army. However, many of these individuals were subsequently pressed into service on the frontlines of the war in Ukraine, a stark contrast to the initial promises made to them.In one such video posted in September 2023, Faisal Khan can be seen assuring his viewers that in addition to a hefty salary, those joining the Russian army would also receive a government card, facilitating their path to permanent residency.He allegedly sent a large number of Indians to Russia with the promise of jobs in the Russian army in support roles. One of them was Mohammed Afsan, who died in the war in Ukraine, stated a source familiar with the matter.Who is Faisal KhanFaisal Khan, in his mid-thirties, runs a manpower consultancy firm that provides workers to various countries. In an attempt to defend his actions, Khan claimed that he sent 35 people to Russia after being assured by his handlers that they would not be deployed on the front lines. He said he himself is a victim, the report added.Faisal Khan claimed he tried to get them back. He also said what happened after these men reached Russia was beyond his control, it continued. Khan further stated that all those who went to Russia were aware of the risks involved, and that he would not have left any digital trail had his intent been to deceive them.A resident of Mumbais Dadar area, Khans journey began in 2008 when he moved to Dubai and worked as a salesman. He established his consultancy firm, Babavlogs, in 2016, but his activities have been subject to scrutiny in the past. In 2018, Indian authorities questioned him after a man he sent to Dubai claimed to have been forcibly converted to Islam.With over three lakh followers on YouTube, Khans last video, posted on January 8, focused on visit visas to New Zealand. However, it was from July 2023 that he began actively promoting jobs in Russia, promising salaries ranging from ₹40,000 to ₹1 lakh after three months of training. He claimed in his videos that the Russian army required manpower for tasks such as clearing demolished buildings and handling arms and ammunition, while demanding an initial fee of ₹3 lakh from interested individuals.
