More and more Uzbek youth in Russia are being forced to fight in Ukraine and dying – will the government finally act?

The Dostlik neighborhood in Payariq district of Samarkand region is a quiet shepherds’ settlement – though in recent years, even the meaning of “quiet” has changed. Ahror, who had just graduated from school, went to Russia in search of work. A few months later, his family heard that he had been arrested – and then sent to war. Some time after that, Ahror returned to his village… but in a coffin.

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This is not just the tragedy of one family – it is a vivid reflection of the fate of thousands of Uzbek migrants in Russian prisons.

At 18, Ahror was not lost or aimless – he had simply left to earn a living. Having failed his entrance exams after school, he planned to work for a year and then continue his education.

Ahror’s mother, Nigora Ergasheva, recalls:

“My son was working well in Russia. Then one day, he completely stopped contacting us. We were very worried. My brother, who also worked there, found out through acquaintances that my son had been arrested. When I heard that, my world went dark. I thought nothing could be worse – but I was wrong.

“I went to Russia and attended his trial. They didn’t even allow me to hug my child once in court. I begged the Russians, saying I had come all the way from Uzbekistan just to embrace my son. They refused. Right before my eyes, they beat him and dragged him away.”

The young man was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was tortured in isolation, contracted a lung infection, and was only given painkillers instead of proper medical treatment.

The family, already poor, spent everything they had on lawyers, travel, and court expenses.

“We even sold our last cow. I just wanted to see my son alive. When I heard he had fallen into a coma, we sent money for treatment,” says Nigora.

Ahror recovered after two months, but he was repeatedly placed in isolation.

The war machine did not stop

His parents believe their son’s arrest was staged.

Ahror’s father, Sanjar Hamroev, says he has spoken to many other parents who faced similar situations. According to him, Uzbek prisoners are being intimidated:

“They tell them: if you go to war, you’ll be released in a year; if not, your prison term will be extended and you’ll die here. It’s become routine. They’re also told they’ll earn good money if they serve for a year. Many agree under fear and pressure. My son was forced the same way.”

After hearing this, Ahror’s mother went to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan and submitted a petition asking for help to locate her son and bring him home. But nothing changed.

“Around that time, Ahror called me from the airport on a video call. He said, ‘Mother, pray for me – I have no other way out.’ Then he disappeared.”

Not long after, a metal coffin arrived in their quiet village.

A growing pattern of “scripted” arrests

Investigations by Kun.uz reveal that such cases are becoming more frequent. The number of Uzbek migrants detained in Russia on charges related to psychotropic substances has sharply increased. After being imprisoned, many are “voluntarily” – but in reality, forcibly – sent to war.

According to Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, about 60 percent of citizens in Russian prisons are serving sentences related to drug offenses. However, many families believe these cases are fabricated.

In Jomboy district, Sultan Duvlanov’s son was also arrested in Russia less than a month after arriving there.

“My son is just a young boy who used to work with me. What would he know about drugs? While speaking to me on the phone, he said they took him to a basement and slipped psychotropic substances into his pocket. Now they’re pressuring him to go to war. I know Ahror’s family well – I fear the same will happen to my son,” he said.

Between prison and war

Reports indicate that Uzbek migrants in Russian prisons are faced with two “choices”:

• remain behind bars and endure long years of hardship, or
• go to war with the illusion of freedom after one year of service.

But most of those who choose war never return.

A question before society and the state

Ahror’s story is not only a personal tragedy but a test for society as a whole. The mother who received her son’s coffin says she hopes her pain will serve as a warning to others. Yet the question remains: are our citizens who suffer abroad, who are imprisoned or forced into war, receiving legal and moral support? Are the responsible institutions aware of these situations? Are systemic measures being taken to prevent such cases? Are there functioning mechanisms to protect our citizens?

Until these questions are answered, tragedies like Ahror’s will continue to repeat.

Conclusion

Uzbeks who go abroad out of economic necessity need state protection and legal assistance. Ahror’s story is not just another news report – it is a warning to an entire generation. If no action is taken today, tomorrow another family will be waiting for a coffin.