The Indian foreign ministry announced on Monday that, at the request of India, Russia has released numerous Indian nationals from its army. The ministry emphasized that discussions are ongoing with Russian authorities to promptly secure the release of Indian citizens, marking it as one of India’s top priorities.
According to The Wire, Indians, initially recruited for auxiliary roles, were being compelled to join the conflict in Ukraine as part of the Russian army. Media outlets reported that stranded Indians in Russia sought assistance from the Indian government, a claim promptly refuted by the Foreign Ministry of India.
In an official statement published on the Indian Ministry of External Affairs website, the ministry addressed the circulating misinformation, stating, “We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge. Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. Several Indians have already been discharged as a result.”
The ministry highlighted successful outcomes, noting that many Indians have already returned from Russia due to these diplomatic efforts.
Last week, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the External Affairs Ministry, reiterated that India is actively negotiating with Russian authorities to secure the immediate release of Indian citizens employed as helpers in the Russian army. He urged Indians to exercise caution and stay away from the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
According to The Hindu’s earlier report, approximately 18 Indian citizens found themselves stranded on the Russia-Ukraine border since November 2023, in locations such as Mariupol, Kharkiv, Donetsk, and Rostov-on-Don. Tragically, one Indian citizen was reported to have lost their life during the conflict in Ukraine.
Media reports regarding Indian nationals seeking discharge from the Russian Army:https://t.co/khl2aGAF2h pic.twitter.com/QmLC8WS5TR
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2024
An agent facilitating Indian arrivals in Russia spoke to The Hindu, revealing that these individuals hailed from various Indian states and faced severe threats to their lives. The agent disclosed, “They were offered positions as Army Helpers in Russia, with promises of a three-month training period and routine assessments. Initially assigned roles such as kitchen helpers, they unexpectedly had their passports confiscated after a month and were coerced into participating in the war against Ukraine.”
[Video from Official Baba Vlogs Youtube channel]
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing for two years since its initiation in February 2022, has led to grave consequences, as this situation further underscores the complexities and challenges faced by individuals inadvertently embroiled in geopolitical conflicts.
