The fate of an Egyptian student: from Russian prison to Ukrainian captivity!

22-year-old Muhammad Radwan Senussi was born into a humble family in the village of Al-Maris, in the Luxor Governorate of Egypt. No one in his family was involved in military or political affairs, but they had dreams of a peaceful and prosperous future for Muhammad. For his relatives, the greatest dream was for Muhammad to return to Russia with his medical education and become the pride of his family. However, events developed so abruptly and unexpectedly that they shocked and saddened both the family and the entire village.

Muhammad had gone to Russia in 2021 to study medicine. For his family, this was a great achievement and they considered it an honorable achievement. However, in April 2025, Egyptian authorities announced that Muhammad had been stripped of his Egyptian citizenship on the grounds that he had “served in the military in a foreign country.” This was terrible news for his family, and they were deeply saddened by it.

Muhammad's father, Radwan Senussi, claimed that his son was imprisoned in Russia on false charges of illegal drug possession and forced to join the Russian army there. His appeals to this effect were also spread on social media, but to no avail.

Muhammad's mother, Safa, told the BBC that she had last spoken to her son in February 2025 and how painful that conversation had been. When she saw her son via video link, she realized that Muhammad was in captivity in Ukraine. Muhammad said he was scared and helpless and asked his mother to pray for him.

The video interview was posted on the YouTube channel of Dmytro Karpenko, who works with the Ukrainian intelligence agency's "Khochu Zhit" project. Muhammad tried to find money to study in Russia and used Telegram to find additional work. He was arrested through deception and then drafted into the army.

Experts say the Russian army is particularly keen on recruiting students who are struggling financially or from abroad, as they are likely to seek financial aid or Russian citizenship, which could make it easier for them to join the army. Students like Muhammad are often discouraged by this situation and end up joining the army.

Muhammad's family, who have learned that he is being held captive in Ukraine, are desperate for a way out. They plan to use diplomatic and legal means to secure their son's safe return, but there are many obstacles.

According to the BBC, Muhammad is currently in a prisoner of war camp in western Ukraine. Ukrainian authorities have said he has all the rights and protections set out in the Geneva Conventions.

The fate of Muhammad remains unclear. Ukraine is interested in exchanging foreign prisoners of war like him for Russian citizens. However, this process is likely to be complicated and long-term.

This incident caused a great resonance in the international arena, and the fate of foreign mercenaries in the Russian army has once again become the center of attention. At the same time, this example shows what difficult situations students abroad can find themselves in in Russia.

The fate of Muhammad Radwan Senussi remains unclear to this day. His family, however, is watching their son's tragic journey from Russian prison to Ukrainian captivity with great anxiety and hope.