VOI World/ Desk
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a stern advisory, urging Indian nationals to refrain from accepting any recruitment offers from the Russian Army amid reports of Indians being forced into military service in the Ukraine conflict. At least 15 Indian citizens are reportedly caught in such circumstances, some serving on battlefronts.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that the government has raised these troubling reports with Russian authorities in both New Delhi and Moscow. He also stated that the Indian Embassy in Moscow is engaging with the families of those affected and is pushing for their early release.
In July, India had informed Parliament that out of 127 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military, 98 had been discharged or returned; 13 remained enlisted, and 12 others were reported missing.
MEA warned that joining foreign military forces amid a foreign war carries “serious risks” — legal, physical, and moral. It appealed to citizens to avoid enticements masquerading as job opportunities. The advisory reflects India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens overseas and upholding legal norms even in complex geopolitical crises.
