India has warned its citizens against joining the Russian military again and said it is seeking information on 69 Indian nationals who are reportedly still serving. A total of 259 Indians are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of them, 139 have been discharged following India’s efforts and 51 have died, according to figures shared by New Delhi, which said it is working with Moscow to discover the whereabouts of the remaining 69. In its latest advisory, released on September 30, the Indian Foreign Ministry acknowledged that some Indians had sought out offers to join the Russian armed forces for financial benefits, believing they could later approach New Delhi for assistance in securing their release. It also said that some of the recruitment happened through non-public entities, including voluntary groups, and advised Indians to verify overseas employment agents before accepting offers. Russia has previously said its government was not involved in recruitment campaigns or fraudulent schemes targeting Indians.
The Russian Embassy in New Delhi pointed out in 2024 that Indian nationals serving with the military had entered into contracts voluntarily.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested the release of Indian nationals while speaking with Russian President Vladimir Putin during his Moscow visit in 2024, after which Russia agreed to work toward their early discharge.Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi continued to receive reports of its Indians joining the Russian armed forces despite the repeated warnings. He urged them to stay away from such offers, saying military service carried a “grave danger to life.”
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