Urgen Tamang, a Kalimpong resident enrolled in the Russian army to fight against Ukraine, who reached home on Saturday through the “official”, government channel, revealed a failed plan to escape through the backdoor.

Of the 15 non-Russian fighters in Urgen’s brigade, 13 were dead, he said. "It's a dream come true that I am home," he added.

He spoke of his desperation to come back home — "I wanted to step on landmines so that my leg would blow off and I would be sent home" — and an elaborate plan set up through “agents” to bring him back home through the backdoor in May with "just my passport".

The plan failed due to a casualty in the barracks after which all soldiers there, including Urgen, were moved to a no-network zone.

“Every detail had been worked out. A vehicle had been sent to a place 16km near Urgen’s posting, but agents could not contact him over the phone,” said a source in the know on Saturday.

Agents from Afghanistan and Nepal worked to rescue respective nationals enlisted in the Russian army through the backdoor, said the source.

Urgen was posted in the second battalion of the 144 brigade of the Russian army. "Duped" to join the Russian army in January this year, he was told he would get around ₹2.5 lakh a month as a helper, not a soldier. "I too take the blame as I was not aware of the intensity of the war,” said the former Indian army soldier.

On March 10, Urgen made a video message about his plight in Russia, which he sent his wife Ambika on March 18.

Kalimpong civic chairman Rabi Pradhan then set the ball rolling for Urgen's rescue.

Pradhan, on Saturday, said: “I am thankful to the Prime Minister, officials of the Indian embassy in Russia and also to (Indian nationals in Russia) Raja Pathan and Anand Gaurav (for helping Urgen's return)."