Key Takeaways
- The Indian government has warned its citizens against joining the Russian army, citing risks and dangers.
- Over 15 Indians have been recruited into the Russian army in the past six months.
- The Indian government is working to secure the discharge of Indian citizens who have been recruited by the Russian army.
New Delhi: The Indian government today strongly urged all Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army as this is a course “fraught with danger”, and said it has taken up the issue of Indians getting caught in the Ukraine conflict with Russia.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement:
“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly.
“We have also taken up the matter with Russian authorities, both in Delhi and Moscow, asking that this practice be ended and that our nationals be released. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens.
“We once again strongly urge all Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army as this is a course fraught with danger.”
The response comes in the wake of a media report saying that 15 Indians went to Moscow on student or visitor visa in the past six months, and now find themselves mired in the war. They were hired by an agent to work as construction workers but ended up in the war zone, and are in Selydove, a key town in the Donetsk region, which Russia has captured.
In July, the MEA said that most of the Indians recruited by the Russian army had been repatriated after the government actively worked with the Russian authorities to secure their discharge. PM Modi had also taken up the issue during his talks with President Putin in July last year.
