Ukraine has captured an Indian national allegedly fighting for Russian forces, the first known Indian detained in the ongoing war.

Sahil Majothi, 22, from the Indian state of Gujarat, went to Russia to study computer engineering two years ago. His mother claims he was falsely accused in a drug case last April.

Mr. Majothi joined the Russian army to avoid imprisonment over drug charges, according to a video released by Ukraine's army on Tuesday.

The Indian foreign ministry says it is investigating the case and has not received formal communication from Ukraine. The BBC has asked the Russian government for a response.

In an interview with BBC Gujarati, Mr. Majothi's mother Hasina Majothi said her son went to Russia in January 2024. He completed a three-month language course in St Petersburg before moving to Moscow for college, supporting himself part-time as a kitchenware courier.

She alleges that in April 2024, someone slipped drugs into a parcel handed to Mr. Majothi during his deliveries. The police caught him with it and charged him, Ms. Hasina said.

According to Ms. Hasina, her son was detained, held for six months and later sentenced to seven years in prison. The family hired a private lawyer in Russia to defend him, but they had no idea when or how he was drafted into the military.

I don't know how he ended up in Ukraine. I only found out through the viral video, Ms. Hasina said.

In the video released by the 63rd Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian army, Mr. Majothi can be heard saying he was given a choice between joining the Russian army, with pay for his service, or serving jail time.

He stated he was told he would serve in the military for a year before being released, but he was never compensated as promised.

Mr. Majothi claims he underwent 15 days of training in September 2024 and was sent to the battlefield a year later, on 30 September.

The next day, on 1 October, Mr. Majothi said he had an altercation with his commander, after which he separated from Russian soldiers and sought assistance from Ukrainian forces.

His story raises alarms as reports indicate rising numbers of Indians being recruited into the Russian military, with specific attention to over 150 Indians, some on student or visitor visas. At least 12 have died in the conflict and 16 remain missing.

The Indian government has advised against participation in the conflict, reiterating that such paths are fraught with danger and could risk lives.