MEA Dismisses Reports Of Indians With Russian Army Seeking Help For Discharge

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday dismissed media reports, claiming that Indians with the Russian Army are seeking help for discharge.

“Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.”

The MEA also said that it remains committed and that the early discharge of Indians from the Russian Army is a matter of top priority.

Last week, India had advised its citizens to “exercise caution” and “stay away from this conflict” following reports that a few Indians have been allegedly “forced” to fight in Russia’s war against Ukraine. “We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge. We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

The Hindu reported that 18 Indians were stranded in various border towns along Russia’s frontier with Ukraine.

The issue came to light after family of Mohammad Sufiyan, a resident of Hyderabad, pleaded with the central government and the MEA to safely evacuate the trapped youths, who they alleged were deceived by agents with promises of high wages and a Russian passport and forced into fighting for Russia in the Ukraine conflict.

Upon arriving in Moscow, the Indians were reportedly trained to handle “arms and ammunition by the Russian army” and shipped to the frontlines.