Diyorbek, a native of Samarkand who went to Russia for work, endured one of the toughest trials of his life. He went to an address suggested for resolving migration issues, where he was forced to sign a military contract, after which he ended up in the Russian army.
Not knowing the Russian language and not understanding the contents of the documents, the young man spent several months in military units. He was demanded to participate in battles and maneuvers, but he refused.
“I will not fight in their war. This is not my homeland. If it were my homeland, I would fight to the end,” says Diyorbek.
According to him, after the refusal, pressure began: beatings, hunger, and severe trials. But he preferred to endure hardships rather than fight. His main goal was one — to escape.
Deciding to flee, Diyorbek set off from Voronezh towards Moscow. It was not an easy journey. Every step was dangerous — he knew that if caught, the punishment would be worse than everything he had endured. For safety, he moved on foot, without cars or trains, in civilian clothes, carrying food in a backpack.
He tried not to approach villages, walking mainly through forests, along railways and roadsides to avoid being seen. When the food ran out, he had to survive in harsh conditions.
“There were nights when I looked for food in garbage bins. I drank water from ditches. I grew up in the mountains and was not afraid to stay in the forest. I was afraid of being caught again and taken back,” he recounts.
After 14 days, he reached Moscow. He especially remembers the moment he saw the flag at the Uzbek embassy building.
“When I saw the flag of Uzbekistan, the fear inside me disappeared. I felt safe,” says Diyorbek.
With the help of the embassy, he was returned to Uzbekistan. Today Diyorbek is with his parents.
“When I saw the joy of my parents, all my suffering there disappeared,” he says.
This interview is prepared as a warning for thousands of compatriots going abroad for work. Ignorance of language and laws, signing documents without understanding their content, as well as pressure and coercion to participate in war can lead to unforeseen trials.
Source: kun.uz