Man from Duhok Missing After Joining Russian Army

Man from Duhok Missing After Joining Russian Army

A 29-year-old man from Duhok has been missing for nine months after joining the Russian army and fighting on the front lines of the Russia–Ukraine war, his family said.

Gailan Ali joined the Russian military about 16 months ago after traveling abroad in search of work. According to his family, he was persuaded by several Iraqi Arab youths to apply for a visa to Belarus, after which he was taken to Russia.

“Some Arab men talked him into applying for a Belarus visa. He handed over his passport and documents and traveled to Basra,” his uncle, Mohammed Barwari, said. “From there, they took him as a volunteer. He did not realize it was a trap to make money, and then they turned him into a soldier.”

Family Seeks Answers on His Fate

According to official documents provided to the family, Ali went missing on February 22, 2025, in Ukraine’s Luhansk region. His relatives said the Russian Consulate in Erbil has confirmed the information.

“Our demand is simple — we want to know what happened to him,” Barwari said. “We have no information about his whereabouts, and this uncertainty is very painful for the family.”

Experts Warn Case Is Not Isolated

An expert on Russian affairs said Ali is not the only Kurd from the Kurdistan Region who has ended up on the battlefield.

Dr. Bestun Khidir said that at least two other youths from the Kurdistan Region, along with dozens of Iraqis, have traveled to Russia over the past two years and joined either Russian or Ukrainian forces.

“In many cases, families have lost contact with these young men for a long time,” Khidir said.

Calls to Use Official Channels

Khidir advised families searching for missing relatives to pursue official diplomatic routes. “The best option is to contact the Iraqi Embassy in Moscow or the Kurdistan Regional Government’s representation there, so they can follow up on these cases,” he said.

Ali’s family also noted that earlier this year, another young man from Duhok who had served in the Russian army was killed, and his body was returned to the city.