The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that 45 Indian nationals, who had been illegally recruited into the Russian army and forced to fight in the Ukraine conflict, have been rescued and discharged from military service. The MEA further revealed that 50 more Indians remain on the battlefields, with ongoing efforts to secure their release.
The Indians were misled into joining the Russian military through a human trafficking network operating from New Delhi to Tamil Nadu. This network used social media platforms and local agents to lure individuals with promises of lucrative jobs or admissions to questionable private universities.
#WATCH | @MEAIndia spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal speaks on Indian nationals seeking discharge from the Russian Army.
“Since PM @narendramodi visited #Russia in July, 35 Indians have been discharged from the Russian Army. Before the PM’s visit 10 Indian nationals were discharged.… pic.twitter.com/7XqKoMMx8W
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) September 12, 2024
Upon arrival in Russia, the victims had their passports confiscated, were trained for combat, and subsequently deployed to fight in Ukraine.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has described this operation as a significant human trafficking scheme. Approximately 100 Indian nationals were reportedly trapped in this situation, with at least four confirmed dead in the ongoing conflict.
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Diplomatic Efforts and Government Response
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Moscow, the issue of Indian nationals being forced into combat was raised with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In response, Putin assured Modi that all Indians misled into military service would be discharged.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has promised that the Indian government will take “the toughest legal action” against those responsible for duping Indian students into participating in the war. “It is totally unacceptable that any Indian should be taken to a conflict zone and made to work for an army,” Jaishankar stated earlier this year.
Actions Taken and Future Efforts
The MEA has reported that ten Indians have already been brought back as part of their ongoing rescue efforts. Police in India have arrested at least four individuals involved in the trafficking racket, and efforts are being intensified to ensure the safe return of the remaining 50 nationals.
A viral video earlier this year showed men from Punjab and Haryana in military uniforms, pleading for assistance after being deceived into fighting in Ukraine. The Indian government’s swift action and diplomatic interventions aim to prevent further exploitation and ensure the safety of its citizens abroad.
