In Surat, the final rites for 23-year-old Hamil Mangukiya, a victim of a missile strike on the Russia-Ukraine border on February 21, took place on Sunday. His remains arrived in the city via a flight from Delhi yesterday and were held at SMEER Hospital’s morgue until today’s cremation.
Hamil, hailing from Shiv Bangla in Surat, had enlisted in the Russian Army as a security aide on December 23. His father, Ashwinbhai Mangukia, along with his uncle, traveled to Moscow to complete paperwork to repatriate Hamil’s body. They returned to Surat on a separate flight.
The family of Hamil expressed disbelief that their son, whom they bid farewell to three months prior, would return home in a casket. After a 25-day wait, his body was finally cremated this morning, drawing a large crowd at the cremation site.
Bhagwatiben, Hamil’s mother, implored recruiters not to deceive youths like Hamil into perilous situations abroad. “He was promised a support role in Russia but was sent to the battlefield instead. No mother should endure such a loss,” she lamented.
A relative shared that Hamil had harbored dreams of working abroad since childhood. “He had obtained visas for Canada and Poland, but lacking enticing job prospects, he opted for Russia. Had he chosen Canada or Poland, we would have him with us today,” the relative reflected.
Mohammed Asfan (30), a Hyderabad resident, also fell on the front lines last month. His family revealed that he was assured of not facing combat but only supporting roles with the Russian army.
The Indian government has urged its citizens to steer clear of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and resist the allure of support roles in the Russian military.