Erbil family concerned after son reportedly joins Russian military

Erbil family concerned after son reportedly joins Russian military

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A family from the Bradost area northeast of Erbil says their 22-year-old son has joined the Russian armed forces after traveling in search of employment, leaving them distressed and without contact for weeks.

Young man left home seeking work, later revealed he was in Russia

Matin Wahab told his family in July that he was going to Erbil to look for a job. About a month later, he called his father from the Prde (Altun Kupri) area in Kirkuk province, claiming he had secured a well-paid opportunity. “He said some Arab friends told him about a job paying $2,000, and he accepted,” his father, Wahab Khidir, said, adding that Matin appeared to have taken the offer willingly.

Family receives video showing him in Russian military training

According to the family, Matin later sent a video message to his brother saying he had reached Russia and was undergoing military training. The video reportedly disappeared soon after it was sent. In a subsequent message, he informed them he was in Moscow, would receive 15 days of training, and then be deployed to the front lines in Ukraine. “He said he would be stationed in Bakhmut,” his father said, referring to a city that witnessed some of the fiercest battles of 2023.

Parents say communication has been cut off

Matin’s mother, Madina Saeed, said the family has had no contact since his last message and that his phone remains switched off. “We used to talk every day. We had no problems. I miss him deeply and my heart aches,” she said.

KRG following up as similar cases emerge

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Department of Foreign Relations has asked its representative in Russia to look into the case. The representative told Rudaw that several young Kurds have traveled to Russia for financial reasons and voluntarily joined the military. Since their involvement is voluntary, officials noted there is no legal mechanism to force their return.