3 weeks ago
Pithoragarh brothers rescued from Russia after 97-day ordeal
There were two brothers who lived in a place called Pithoragarh in India.
A travel agency promised them good jobs in a faraway country called Russia, and their family paid a lot of money for these jobs.
But when the brothers reached Russia, the jobs they were promised were not there, and they were made to do other work without being paid.
They were not allowed to move around freely and were threatened when they did not want to work.
Their family got very worried because the brothers could not call them often.
The brothers also told their family about drone or missile attacks happening near where they were staying.
A leader called the Chief Minister decided to help them.
He worked with the Indian government and the Indian Embassy in Russia to bring the brothers home.
After about 97 days, the brothers finally returned safely to their family, and everyone was very happy.
Brothers Anand Singh Karki and Bhupendra Singh Karki from Pithoragarh returned home safely on Tuesday after nearly 97 days stranded in Russia.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to ensure their safe return and coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Russia.
The family paid around Rs 8 lakh to a travel agency based in Sitarganj that had promised better employment abroad.
The brothers left India on May 5, 2026, and reached Moscow on May 6, but were not given the promised work and were allegedly made to perform other tasks without pay.
The youths were reportedly threatened, not allowed to move around freely, and told their family about drone or missile attacks near the premises where they were kept.
- Who
- Two brothers from Pithoragarh, Anand Singh Karki and Bhupendra Singh Karki, with rescue efforts led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
- What
- The brothers, stranded in Russia for nearly 97 days after being denied the employment they were promised, were rescued and returned home safely.
- Where
- Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India; and Russia (Moscow), where the brothers were held.
- When
- They left India on May 5, 2026, reached Moscow on May 6, and returned home on Tuesday after nearly 97 days.
- Why
- A travel agency in Sitarganj charged the family around Rs 8 lakh for promised jobs abroad, but the brothers were given other unpaid work, restricted, and threatened, prompting government intervention for their rescue.
Key facts
- Stranded brothers
- Anand Singh Karki and Bhupendra Singh Karki
- Residence
- Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
- Days stranded in Russia
- Nearly 97 days
- Amount paid to travel agency
- Around Rs 8 lakh
- Travel agency location
- Sitarganj
- Left India / reached Moscow
- May 5, 2026 / May 6, 2026
- Government bodies involved
- Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassy in Russia
Quotes
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
Chief Minister of Uttarakhand
“"If any citizen of Uttarakhand faces a crisis anywhere in the world, the state government will make every possible effort to assist them."”
m.rediff.com







