A photographer from Iran alleges he was forced to fight in Ukraine after being given a brutal choice by Russian authorities: imprisonment or the battlefield. Arash Darbandi, originally from Ahvaz in southwestern Iran, detailed his experience to a Ukrainian outlet, describing a journey from tourist to unwilling combatant.
Forced Recruitment and Coercion
Darbandi arrived in St. Petersburg on a tourist visa, supporting himself by photographing people and earning approximately 1,000 rubles ($10-$11) for each photo they liked. Though trained as a petroleum engineer, he said photography was his primary source of income. His situation changed after an encounter with police following what he described as an altercation with an officer.
According to Darbandi, he was arrested and taken to a military facility on Ligovsky Prospekt, where he was presented with an ultimatum. When he argued that deportation would be a sufficient punishment for a foreign national, he claims he was told, “This is Russia, and you must go to war.” He was subsequently held in barracks for months before being sent to a training center near Belgorod.
Experiences on the Front Lines
Darbandi described the training as minimal and coercive, stating recruits were viewed as expendable. He reported that foreign nationals – including individuals from Iran, Africa, Arab nations, Kenya, and Colombia – were segregated from Russian soldiers and had limited rights. “Foreigners have no rights at all; at any moment, they can take whatever they have,” he said.
Fearing deployment despite having no military background – “I had never even held a knife,” he stated – Darbandi deliberately broke his arm in an attempt to avoid service. However, his self-harm did not result in exemption. He was later wounded during a Ukrainian drone strike and captured after being left without assistance for days.
Broader Context of Foreign Involvement
Darbandi’s account emerges against a backdrop of Iran’s growing support for Russia since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Western governments and Kyiv accuse Tehran of supplying Russia with hundreds of Shahed-series attack drones, a claim Iran has denied or downplayed.
Earlier this month, flyers promising substantial payments and benefits circulated near the Russian Embassy in Tehran, inviting men to enlist in the Russian army. The Russian embassy denied any connection to these flyers. The flyers, targeting men aged 18 to 45, offered starting bonuses of $15,000 to $18,000 and monthly salaries of $2,500 to $2,800, along with housing, medical care, and uniforms.
Looking Ahead
It is possible that further accounts of foreign nationals being coerced into fighting in Ukraine will emerge, potentially increasing scrutiny of Russia’s recruitment practices. If verified, Darbandi’s story could lead to increased diplomatic pressure on Russia and Iran regarding their collaboration and treatment of foreign fighters. Alternatively, the lack of independent verification and official comment could allow these allegations to remain unsubstantiated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Arash Darbandi do for a living before becoming involved in the conflict?
Arash Darbandi is a photographer from Ahvaz, Iran, who supported himself by taking pictures of people in St. Petersburg and earning approximately 1,000 rubles ($10-$11) per photo. He is also trained as a petroleum engineer.
What ultimatum did Russian authorities allegedly give Darbandi?
According to Darbandi, Russian authorities told him he could either go to prison for three to five years or fight in the war for one year.
What other nationalities were reportedly among those forced to fight alongside Darbandi?
Darbandi stated that foreign nationals from Africa, Arab nations, Kenya, and Colombia were also segregated from Russian soldiers and forced into service.
Given the gravity of Darbandi’s claims, what responsibility do governments have to investigate allegations of forced conscription and protect the rights of their citizens abroad?
