u/Bhuklagihe

My very close childhood friend died fighting in Ukraine for the Russian Army.

I am 22, and my friend was only 20. We are from Northern India. He came from a lower middle-class family. He had no father, an ill mother, and two sisters to support. He was a very kind, respectful, brave, and strong person. He never hated Ukrainians or anyone else. He was just desperate for a better life for himself and his family.

He wanted to become a doctor. He tried to clear the NEET exam in India multiple times, but the competition here is extremely tough. Eventually, he told us and his family that he was going to Russia to study medicine because it was cheaper there.

But after going there, he joined the Russian Army.

They offered him a contract: if he fought and survived for one year, he would receive Russian citizenship and a large amount of money. He needed that money badly for his family, so he accepted.

He used to send us pictures and videos from the frontlines hiding in trenches from drones, holding a Russian AK-74, and other things I cannot even describe here. Every message from him felt unreal.

Then suddenly, after only four months, he stopped replying completely. No messages. No calls. Nothing.

A week ago, Indian authorities called his mother and confirmed that he had died in Russia. They said he was one of the “lucky” ones whose body was allowed to be sent back to India.

His body was unrecognizable. I cannot describe what we saw.

He was not evil. He was not driven by hatred or politics. He was just a young man who wanted to escape poverty, help his sick mother, support his sisters, and build a future.

Instead, he died in a foreign war far away from home.

I miss him very much. He was one of my closest friends.

I truly wish this war would end, so no more sons, brothers, husbands, or friends have to die like this.

My very close childhood friend died fighting in Ukraine for the Russian Army.

I am 22, and my friend was only 20. We are from Northern India. He came from a lower middle-class family. He had no father, an ill mother, and two sisters to support. He was a very kind, respectful, brave, and strong person. He never hated Ukrainians or anyone else. He was just desperate for a better life for himself and his family.

He wanted to become a doctor. He tried to clear the NEET exam in India multiple times, but the competition here is extremely tough. Eventually, he told us and his family that he was going to Russia to study medicine because it was cheaper there.

But after going there, he joined the Russian Army.

They offered him a contract: if he fought and survived for one year, he would receive Russian citizenship and a large amount of money. He needed that money badly for his family, so he accepted.

He used to send us pictures and videos from the frontlines hiding in trenches from drones, holding a Russian AK-74, and other things I cannot even describe here. Every message from him felt unreal.

Then suddenly, after only four months, he stopped replying completely. No messages. No calls. Nothing.

A week ago, Indian authorities called his mother and confirmed that he had died in Russia. They said he was one of the “lucky” ones whose body was allowed to be sent back to India.

His body was unrecognizable. I cannot describe what we saw.

He was not evil. He was not driven by hatred or politics. He was just a young man who wanted to escape poverty, help his sick mother, support his sisters, and build a future.

Instead, he died in a foreign war far away from home.

I miss him very much. He was one of my closest friends.

I truly wish this war would end, so no more sons, brothers, husbands, or friends have to die like this.

My very close childhood friend died fighting in Ukraine for the Russian Army.

I am 22, and my friend was only 20. We are from Northern India. He came from a lower middle-class family. He had no father, an ill mother, and two sisters to support. He was a very kind, respectful, brave, and strong person. He never hated Ukrainians or anyone else. He was just desperate for a better life for himself and his family.

He wanted to become a doctor. He tried to clear the NEET exam in India multiple times, but the competition here is extremely tough. Eventually, he told us and his family that he was going to Russia to study medicine because it was cheaper there.

But after going there, he joined the Russian Army.

They offered him a contract: if he fought and survived for one year, he would receive Russian citizenship and a large amount of money. He needed that money badly for his family, so he accepted.

He used to send us pictures and videos from the frontlines — hiding in trenches from drones, holding a Russian AK-74, and other things I cannot even describe here. Every message from him felt unreal.

Then suddenly, after only four months, he stopped replying completely. No messages. No calls. Nothing.

A week ago, Indian authorities called his mother and confirmed that he had died in Russia. They said he was one of the “lucky” ones whose body was allowed to be sent back to India.

His body was unrecognizable. I cannot describe what we saw.

He was not evil. He was not driven by hatred or politics. He was just a young man who wanted to escape poverty, help his sick mother, support his sisters, and build a future.

Instead, he died in a foreign war far away from home.

I miss him very much. He was one of my closest friends.

I truly wish this war would end, so no more sons, brothers, husbands, or friends have to die like this.