‘Several Indians Discharged From Russian Army Following Demand’

The external affairs ministry has said that the government has managed to release several of its citizens from the Russian army.

The press release issued by the ministry said that New Delhi considered it a “top priority” to actively pursue the discharge of its citizens from Russia.

Recently, a 23-year-old Indian was killed in a drone attack in the Donetsk region near the Russia-Ukraine border. Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya had been working as a security helper since 2023.

Clarifying the government’s stance, the ministry said that every case that has been brought before it, has been taken up with the Russian embassy in India.

“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,” it said.

Several Indians have been discharged from the Russian army because of this, the ministry added.

On February 23, the government said that it was in touch with its Russian counterparts for the early discharge of its citizens who were working as support staff and called for people to stay away from the conflict zone in Ukraine.

According to media reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military, and they were forced to fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas.

According to the Hindu, 18 Indians were stranded in various frontline towns and at least three were “forced” to fight alongside the Russians.

The report said that these Indians were duped by recruiters based in Dubai who promised high wages and Russian passports.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier urged the MEA to rescue the Indians.

In a letter to external affairs minister S Jaishankar last week, he urged the government to secure the early release of the youth.

“They have not contacted their families for 25 days. Their families are very much worried about them and are intending to get them back to India, as they are the only bread earners of their families,” Owaisi said in the letter.