44 Indians serving in Russian Army, seeking their release: MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday said that 44 Indians citizens are currently serving in the Russian Army and that it has urged Moscow to release them immediately.

“We are in touch with the Russian side,” ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference. “We are also in touch with the families of these peoples, and giving them an update on the matter.”

He said that New Delhi has also urged Moscow to halt the process of enlisting Indians into their armed forces.

“We once again take this opportunity to convey to all that one should stay away from offers being made to serve in the Russian Army, because it is an offer that is fraught with danger to life and there is risk to life,” Jaiswal said. “…In spite of our repeated reminders, people continue to enlist.”

He added: “…in the past also, the law enforcement authorities in India have taken action against people, and they continue to pursue this matter, so that people are not tricked into joining such risky endeavours.”

The ministry has repeatedly issued advisories warning Indian citizens against joining the Russian Army. New Delhi contends that many are duped by unscrupulous agents and are often hired as support staff such as cooks and helpers.

In September, Jaiswal said that New Delhi had urged Moscow to immediately release and repatriate 27 Indian citizens who had been recruited into the Russian military at the time.

The ministry spokesperson had noted that advisories had been issued warning Indians “to avoid such enticements that lead them there”.

In January, following the death of a citizen from Kerala who was recruited by the Russian Army, the ministry had once again warned Indian citizens against joining it.

In July, the ministry told the Rajya Sabha that there were 127 Indian citizens in the Russian armed forces, of which 98 persons had been discharged from the military and had returned to India “as a result of sustained engagement” between the two governments.

The Russian defence ministry stopped recruiting Indians in April 2024, according to the country's embassy in New Delhi. However, contracts for military service have delayed the release of several Indians.

Russia began its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, triggering the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II.

Source: Scroll
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