India’s foreign ministry confirmed on Friday that around 20 Indian nationals had joined the Russian army in “support positions” and at least three had been “forced” to fight, and said it was taking steps to repatriate them, AFP and News.ro reported. .
On Wednesday, the Hindu daily reported that around 20 Indians were stranded in various cities on the border with Russia, along the front line of the war in Ukraine.
According to the newspaper, at least three were forced to fight alongside the Russians.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs has not confirmed that Indians fought in Ukraine, but said in a statement that it was aware “that several Indian nationals have signed (contracts) to work in support of the Russian army.”
“The Embassy of India has regularly addressed this issue to the competent Russian authorities so that they terminate the contracts,” the message reads.
“We urge all citizens of India to exercise caution and stay away from the conflict,” New Delhi urges.
Promises of high salaries
One of the Indians conscripted into the Russian army tells the newspaper that “(his) repeated requests” for repatriation, addressed to the Indian embassy in Moscow, remained a “dead letter”.
As The Hindu writes, recruiters from Dubai deceived Indians who were promised high salaries and a Russian passport.
After arriving in Moscow, these new recruits were trained in handling “arms and ammunition of the Russian army” and sent to front-line areas in January.
The publication notes that some Indian citizens joined the Ukrainian army as volunteers.
At least three Indians were forced to fight alongside the Russians on the Russia-Ukraine border after they were allegedly duped by an agent and sent there to work as “army security assistants”, one of the victims told The Hindu.https://t .co/ nzlmn5LsgQ
— The Hindu (@the_hindu) February 21, 2024
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Source: Hot News
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