Relatives of four Indian nationals have claimed that foreign recruiters in Russia duped their family members into joining the Wagner Group, which is a private military company and was earlier involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.&nbsp;

22-year-old Mohammed Sufiyan, who belongs to the Indian state of Telangana, along with three other Indians hailing from Karnataka's Kalaburagi sent an SOS to their families after they were stranded in Russia and forced to join the Russian army in the fight against Ukraine, reported The Times Of India.

A video was sent by Sufiyan to his family in which he was seen in army fatigue and claimed that they had been a victim of recruitment fraud.&nbsp;

He added that the recruiters had sent them to Russia on December 23 after promising them jobs as security helpers, however, they were forced into fighting the Russia-Ukraine war against their will.

In the video, Sufiyan was heard saying, “Please save us, we are victims of a hi-tech fraud.”

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-calls-for-urgent-meet-with-polish-government-to-solve-border-blockade-692479">&nbsp;Zelensky calls for urgent meet with Polish government to solve border blockade</a>

<h2>How did Indians land in the trap?</h2>

While visiting Dubai in 2023, the four Indians met with the recruitment agents, who offered them heavy salaried jobs.&nbsp;

In November, they came back to India and were sent back to Russia after a month.&nbsp;

The Indians had boarded a flight from Chennai to Russia on a visitor's&nbsp;visa.&nbsp;

The Indian youths were offered a salary of more than Rs 2 lakh ($24,118.74) per month for the job of army security helpers in Russia, according to The Times Of India.

A family member claimed that the recruiters had given them Rs 3.5 lakh ($4,220.77) as a security amount.&nbsp;

Apart from these four Indian nationals, another 60 Indians were forcibly drafted into the private army of Russia during the Ukraine war, according to the report.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine war: Former US ambassador to NATO speaks to WION on possible ceasefire

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-ukraine-war-former-us-ambassador-to-nato-speaks-to-wion-on-possible-ceasefire-691558/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the report, they have reportedly been posted only 40 km from the Ukraine border, and they sent a message to their families after borrowing the mobile phone of a Russian army man.

"When my brother Sufiyan spoke with me 15 days ago, he said they were just 40km from the Ukraine border. He said they were sent there much against their will. He said they have been deceived," said 31-year-old Syed Salman, while speaking to The Times Of India.&nbsp;

"When my brother got one rare opportunity, he made use of a mobile phone belonging to a Russian army man and sent us a message. He begged that he and others should be helped to return to India at any cost," he added.

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

(With inputs from agencies)

Relatives of four Indian nationals have claimed that foreign recruiters in Russia duped their family members into joining the Wagner Group, which is a private military company and was earlier involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Relatives of four Indian nationals have claimed that foreign recruiters in Russia duped their family members into joining the Wagner Group, which is a private military company and was earlier involved in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 22-year-old Mohammed Sufiyan, who belongs to the Indian state of Telangana, along with three other Indians hailing from Karnataka's Kalaburagi sent an SOS to their families after they were stranded in Russia and forced to join the Russian army in the fight against Ukraine, reported The Times Of India. A video was sent by Sufiyan to his family in which he was seen in army fatigue and claimed that they had been a victim of recruitment fraud. He added that the recruiters had sent them to Russia on December 23 after promising them jobs as security helpers, however, they were forced into fighting the Russia-Ukraine war against their will. In the video, Sufiyan was heard saying, “Please save us, we are victims of a hi-tech fraud.” Also Read: Zelensky calls for urgent meet with Polish government to solve border blockade How did Indians land in the trap? While visiting Dubai in 2023, the four Indians met with the recruitment agents, who offered them heavy salaried jobs. In November, they came back to India and were sent back to Russia after a month. The Indians had boarded a flight from Chennai to Russia on a visitor's visa. The Indian youths were offered a salary of more than Rs 2 lakh ($24,118.74) per month for the job of army security helpers in Russia, according to The Times Of India. A family member claimed that the recruiters had given them Rs 3.5 lakh ($4,220.77) as a security amount. Apart from these four Indian nationals, another 60 Indians were forcibly drafted into the private army of Russia during the Ukraine war, according to the report. Watch: Russia-Ukraine war: Former US ambassador to NATO speaks to WION on possible ceasefire According to the report, they have reportedly been posted only 40 km from the Ukraine border, and they sent a message to their families after borrowing the mobile phone of a Russian army man. "When my brother Sufiyan spoke with me 15 days ago, he said they were just 40km from the Ukraine border. He said they were sent there much against their will. He said they have been deceived," said 31-year-old Syed Salman, while speaking to The Times Of India. "When my brother got one rare opportunity, he made use of a mobile phone belonging to a Russian army man and sent us a message. He begged that he and others should be helped to return to India at any cost," he added. Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately report this developing news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. (With inputs from agencies)

Four Indians forcefully made to join Wagner group, participate in Russia-Ukraine war, claim relatives

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 5. The researchers claimed to have found the remains of a single pterosaur, named Ceoptera evansae, which is likely to have lived 166 to 168 million years ago on&nbsp;Earth during the Middle Jurassic period.

The research was headed by scientists from the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester, the Natural History Museum and the University of Liverpool.

According to the research, the incomplete fossil remains of Ceoptera evansae were first discovered in 2006 on a small beach close to the coastline of Loch Scavaig, which was located on the Strathaird Peninsula in the Isle of Skye.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/researchers-found-fossilised-dinosaur-era-frog-with-belly-filled-with-eggs-in-china-687762">Fossil of a dinosaur-era frog suggests it suffered gruesome death while mating</a>

The researchers, since then, analysed partial skeletons - which are remains of the wings, shoulders, backbone and wings - and digital scanning was used to reveal different elements of the skeleton which were "otherwise inaccessible" because of being embedded in rock.

Ceoptera evansae's skeleton is one of the first pterosaur species to be fully digitally prepared, according to the report.

<h2>Flying dinosaurs lived in China?&nbsp;</h2>

The researchers in the findings said that Ceoptera evansae belongs to a group of pterosaurs, called Darwinoptera.&nbsp;

It was believed that Darwinoptera mainly lived in China, where the species' fossils were discovered before.

In a press release, senior author on the paper and merit researcher at the Natural History Museum Professor Paul Barrett said that the discovery of this dinosaur in the United Kingdom was a "complete surprise".

<img alt="dinosaur 1" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="140a78a3-be8d-4628-8e15-6fdcc211c02a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/download%20%2842%29.jpg" />

Caption:&nbsp;Skeleton of the new pterosaur Ceoptera evansae, discovered on a beach on Scotland's Isle of Skye

"Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China," said Barrett.&nbsp;

"It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution," he added.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the lead author on the paper and palaeobiologist from the University of Bristol Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone said that the findings bring researchers "one step closer to understanding" the evolution of pterosaurs.

Watch:&nbsp;Metabolic changes mapped by scientists to regulate pregnancy health

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/metabolic-changes-during-pregnancy-mapped-by-scientists-to-regulate-pregnancy-health-687754/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance," said Martin-Silverstone&nbsp;in the press release.

"To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved," he added.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

More than 166 million years after dinosaurs lived on Earth, scientists have said that they have discovered a winged dinosaur skeleton on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 5. The researchers claimed to have found the remains of a single pterosaur, named Ceoptera evansae, which is likely to have lived 166 to 168 million years ago on Earth during the Middle Jurassic period. The research was headed by scientists from the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester, the Natural History Museum and the University of Liverpool. According to the research, the incomplete fossil remains of Ceoptera evansae were first discovered in 2006 on a small beach close to the coastline of Loch Scavaig, which was located on the Strathaird Peninsula in the Isle of Skye. Also Read: Fossil of a dinosaur-era frog suggests it suffered gruesome death while mating The researchers, since then, analysed partial skeletons - which are remains of the wings, shoulders, backbone and wings - and digital scanning was used to reveal different elements of the skeleton which were "otherwise inaccessible" because of being embedded in rock. Ceoptera evansae's skeleton is one of the first pterosaur species to be fully digitally prepared, according to the report. Flying dinosaurs lived in China? The researchers in the findings said that Ceoptera evansae belongs to a group of pterosaurs, called Darwinoptera. It was believed that Darwinoptera mainly lived in China, where the species' fossils were discovered before. In a press release, senior author on the paper and merit researcher at the Natural History Museum Professor Paul Barrett said that the discovery of this dinosaur in the United Kingdom was a "complete surprise". Caption: Skeleton of the new pterosaur Ceoptera evansae, discovered on a beach on Scotland's Isle of Skye "Ceoptera helps to narrow down the timing of several major events in the evolution of flying reptiles. Its appearance in the Middle Jurassic of the UK was a complete surprise, as most of its close relatives are from China," said Barrett. "It shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly gained an almost worldwide distribution," he added. Meanwhile, the lead author on the paper and palaeobiologist from the University of Bristol Dr Liz Martin-Silverstone said that the findings bring researchers "one step closer to understanding" the evolution of pterosaurs. Watch: Metabolic changes mapped by scientists to regulate pregnancy health "The time period that Ceoptera is from is one of the most important periods of pterosaur evolution, and is also one in which we have some of the fewest specimens, indicating its significance," said Martin-Silverstone in the press release. "To find that there were more bones embedded within the rock, some of which were integral in identifying what kind of pterosaur Ceoptera is, made this an even better find than initially thought. It brings us one step closer to understanding where and when the more advanced pterosaurs evolved," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

Shocking discovery in Scotland reveals skeleton of flying dinosaur that lived in China

In a rare development, parents of newborn babies in Japan are sending bags of rice that weigh the same as their newborn babies to relatives who are unable to visit them due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

The bags come in various designs. Some bags are shaped like a baby wrapped in a blanket so that relatives can feel as though they are hugging the new arrival while looking at a picture of their face, which has been attached in the front.

The amount of rice in the bag is matched to the newborn’s birth weight. Accordingly, the price increases in parallel with the size of the baby. Some firms charge one yen a gram, with a 3.5kg pack priced 3,500 yen.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/am-iii-now-chinese-scientists-develop-glass-as-hard-as-a-diamond-will-it-be-used-for-weapons-404138">Also read |&nbsp;AM-III: Now, Chinese scientists develop glass as hard as a diamond; will it be used for weapons?</a>

Naruo Ono, the owner of Kome no Zoto Yoshimiya rice shop, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "I first had the idea about 14 years ago when my own son was born and I was thinking about what I could do for relatives who lived far away and couldn’t come and see him. So we decided to make bags of rice that were the same weight and shape as the baby, so relatives could hold them and feel the cuteness".

Ono further added, "In the case of the wedding celebration goods, the bride and groom give them to the respective parents with their pictures on them from when they were babies as a way of showing appreciation for giving birth to them".

In a rare development, parents of newborn babies in Japan are sending bags of rice that weigh the same as their newborn babies to relatives who are unable to visit them due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.

In a rare development, parents of newborn babies in Japan are sending bags of rice that weigh the same as their newborn babies to relatives who are unable to visit them due to the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. The bags come in various designs. Some bags are shaped like a baby wrapped in a blanket so that relatives can feel as though they are hugging the new arrival while looking at a picture of their face, which has been attached in the front. The amount of rice in the bag is matched to the newborn’s birth weight. Accordingly, the price increases in parallel with the size of the baby. Some firms charge one yen a gram, with a 3.5kg pack priced 3,500 yen. Also read | AM-III: Now, Chinese scientists develop glass as hard as a diamond; will it be used for weapons? Naruo Ono, the owner of Kome no Zoto Yoshimiya rice shop, was quoted by The Guardian as saying, "I first had the idea about 14 years ago when my own son was born and I was thinking about what I could do for relatives who lived far away and couldn’t come and see him. So we decided to make bags of rice that were the same weight and shape as the baby, so relatives could hold them and feel the cuteness". Ono further added, "In the case of the wedding celebration goods, the bride and groom give them to the respective parents with their pictures on them from when they were babies as a way of showing appreciation for giving birth to them".

Japanese parents are sending relatives rice bags in place of newborn babies to hug and bless

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai.

Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai.

With the 77-year-old Democrat set to take oath as the 46th US President in just over two months, nobody in Mumbai has so far turned up to claim that he is Mr Biden's relative.

Decades after he received a letter from someone by the last name of Biden from Mumbai, soon after becoming a senator, Joe Biden learned that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" had worked in the East India Company.

"There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," Mr Biden, then Vice President told a Washington audience in 2015 at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal.

In 2013, when Mr Biden travelled to Mumbai on his first vice presidential trip to India, he spoke about this letter he received when he became the senator for the first time several decades ago.

In his address to the Bombay Stock Exchange on July 24, 2013, Joe Biden narrated his story of the "Biden from Mumbai".

"It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it.

"Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related," Joe Biden had told the Mumbai audience seven years ago.

In his 2015 speech in Washington, the President-elect had claimed that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" George Biden was a Captain in the East India Trading company and after retirement, decided to settle in India and married an Indian woman.

Mr Biden had also said someone provided him with the details including the phone numbers of the Bidens in Mumbai.

He had informed the audience that he was yet to call his Mumbai relatives but was planning to do so.

It is not clear if Joe Biden did manage to contact them as the five Bidens he spoke of have not "surfaced" yet.

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai. Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai.

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai. Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai. With the 77-year-old Democrat set to take oath as the 46th US President in just over two months, nobody in Mumbai has so far turned up to claim that he is Mr Biden's relative. Decades after he received a letter from someone by the last name of Biden from Mumbai, soon after becoming a senator, Joe Biden learned that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" had worked in the East India Company. "There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," Mr Biden, then Vice President told a Washington audience in 2015 at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal. In 2013, when Mr Biden travelled to Mumbai on his first vice presidential trip to India, he spoke about this letter he received when he became the senator for the first time several decades ago. In his address to the Bombay Stock Exchange on July 24, 2013, Joe Biden narrated his story of the "Biden from Mumbai". "It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it. "Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related," Joe Biden had told the Mumbai audience seven years ago. In his 2015 speech in Washington, the President-elect had claimed that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" George Biden was a Captain in the East India Trading company and after retirement, decided to settle in India and married an Indian woman. Mr Biden had also said someone provided him with the details including the phone numbers of the Bidens in Mumbai. He had informed the audience that he was yet to call his Mumbai relatives but was planning to do so. It is not clear if Joe Biden did manage to contact them as the five Bidens he spoke of have not "surfaced" yet.

‘5 Bidens in Mumbai’: When Joe Biden spoke of distant relatives in India 

A Pakistan national was apprehended by personnel of the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) on Saturday from Karmara village in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The person in question has been identified as Ghulam Akber, a resident of March Kote Tehsil, Bandi Abbasspur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Father of two children, Akber has relatives in the Pakistan Army, with his uncle's son serving in Mohammad Gali in PoK.

The official said that Akber was apprehended near Kunjan post of Indian army in the forward area of Karmara sub-sector of Gulpur around 1 pm.

He was taken to the base camp of 15 MLI at Gulpur for further questioning.

(With inputs from ANI)

Father of two children, Akber has relatives in the Pakistan Army, with his uncle's son serving in Mohammad Gali in PoK.

A Pakistan national was apprehended by personnel of the Maratha Light Infantry (MLI) on Saturday from Karmara village in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The person in question has been identified as Ghulam Akber, a resident of March Kote Tehsil, Bandi Abbasspur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Father of two children, Akber has relatives in the Pakistan Army, with his uncle's son serving in Mohammad Gali in PoK. The official said that Akber was apprehended near Kunjan post of Indian army in the forward area of Karmara sub-sector of Gulpur around 1 pm. He was taken to the base camp of 15 MLI at Gulpur for further questioning. (With inputs from ANI)

Pakistan national with relatives in Pak Army held in Poonch

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