In a detailed response to concerns about Indian nationals recruited into the Russian Army, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Lok Sabha, revealing that out of 91 Indian individuals, who had joined the Russian Army, 14 have been discharged, and 69 are still awaiting release. The issue of these recruits being misled under false pretences is being taken seriously by the Indian Government.
Jaishankar clarified that, unfortunately, eight of the Indian nationals have passed away. He explained, “Our records show that a total of 91 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian Army. Of these, eight have died, 14 have returned with assistance, and 69 are still waiting for their release.”
The Congress MP Adoor Prakash had previously highlighted the issue, pointing out that many Indian youth were deceived by fraudulent agencies promising non-military jobs. Jaishankar confirmed that these recruits were often misled about their true employment, which led them to serve in the Russian Army under false pretences.
The External Affairs Minister further stated that both he and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally addressed this matter with Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin during their Moscow visit last month. Jaishankar assured that the Russian Government had promised the early discharge of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army.
“The Russian authorities maintain that these individuals entered into service contracts with the Army, but we are not entirely accepting this claim,” Jaishankar added. He noted that a criminal case has been filed against 19 individuals and entities involved in the trafficking network. The Central Bureau of Investigation or CBI has taken significant actions, including the arrest of four suspects.
Responding to questions from AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi, Jaishankar assured that efforts are underway to ensure the safe return of the 69 remaining Indian nationals. “We have sent back four of the deceased remains, and the investigation continues for all 19 cases,” he said.
PM Modi’s visit to Russia on July 8-9, which included discussions on this issue, resulted in a commitment from the Russian Government for the expedited release of the Indian nationals. According to former Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, this matter was strongly addressed by PM Modi, leading to promises from Russia for an early discharge of the affected individuals.
This situation highlights ongoing issues of human trafficking, as several Indians were reportedly tricked into joining the conflict in Ukraine under the guise of lucrative job offers. The CBI’s investigation has revealed a sophisticated network using social media and local contacts to lure individuals into this exploitative scheme.
