New Delhi (TIP)- Amid reports that nine Indian nationals had recently been recruited into the Russian army to fight in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a fresh advisory, warning citizens against such offers and describing the path as “fraught with danger”.
“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. The government has, on several occasions over the past year, underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
He emphasised that India had repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow and urged families to maintain close contact with authorities.
“We have also taken up the matter with Russian officials, both in Delhi and Moscow, demanding an end to this practice and the release of our nationals. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens,” Jaiswal said.
Disturbing video messages shared by anguished families showed young men, many of whom are from Punjab, Haryana and Jammu, wearing Russian military uniforms and pleading for urgent intervention.
“We have been caught in the Russian army. We are nine youths. We came here on student visas. We are being grossly mistreated. We are not getting food and are being sent to the frontline daily,” said Samarjeet Singh from Ludhiana, speaking in Punjabi.
Sumeet Sharma from Jammu echoed similar fears, stating, “We have been deceived by agents. We request the BJP government to help us as soon as possible.”
Another person, Buta Singh, claimed some among them had already died in the fighting. “We were promised work in Moscow. Instead, we are trapped in a war. The situation is dire, get us out immediately,” he urged.
Over the past year, The Tribune has extensively reported on the growing anguish among families of men who have been missing for more than 15 months, allegedly coerced into joining Russia’s war with Ukraine. Many of these young men hail from Punjab and Haryana. Several families allege that despite approaching the Indian authorities, including the embassy in Moscow, little progress has been made. Some have even travelled to Russia on their own, hoping to find help. Source: TNS