New Delhi, Sept 12 — The Government of India has issued a strong advisory urging its citizens not to accept any offers to join the Russian Army, after reports surfaced that several Indians who travelled to Russia had been pushed into combat roles in the Ukraine conflict.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a number of Indians were recently recruited and sent to the frontline. The Ministry said it has repeatedly warned over the past year about the serious dangers involved and stressed that Indian nationals must stay away from such opportunities.
The matter has been formally taken up with Russian authorities both in Delhi and Moscow, with India pressing for an immediate halt to the practice and the release of those affected. Officials have also assured that they remain in contact with the families of the men caught in this situation.
The fresh advisory comes in the wake of a media report that revealed the ordeal of two Indian men currently stranded in Donetsk. They claimed that agents lured them to Russia on the promise of construction jobs but instead sent them to the battlefield. The two men, speaking from Selydove — a town captured by Russia in late 2024 — also alleged that at least 13 more Indians were facing the same fate.
Investigations suggest that many of those recruited had travelled on student or visitor visas within the last six months before falling victim to the scheme.
Reinforcing its stance, the MEA stated that joining any foreign military under such circumstances poses grave risks. The advisory urged citizens to reject such offers outright, warning that they could find themselves trapped in life-threatening conditions.
This development has once again highlighted concerns over the exploitation of migrant workers and students through fraudulent job networks in conflict zones.
