The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a stern advisory cautioning Indian nationals against enlisting in the Russian armed forces, after reports emerged that several Indians who had travelled to Moscow were allegedly forced into combat roles in Ukraine.
“We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an official statement.
The ministry reiterated that such actions put Indian citizens at “grave risk” and urged them to avoid falling prey to false promises of overseas employment.
Our response to media queries on Indians recruited into the Russian army
🔗 https://t.co/i6WIbHOK51 pic.twitter.com/xzQKGEfJgR— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 11, 2025
Reports From Ukraine Frontline
The warning follows a report by The Hindu, which quoted two Indian men currently in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine. The men claimed they had been lured to Russia on the pretext of construction jobs, only to be deployed to the frontline instead.
Speaking from Selydove, a town captured by Russia in November 2024, they alleged that at least 13 more Indian nationals were in similar conditions.
According to the newspaper, the recruits had travelled to Russia within the last six months on student or visitor visas. They alleged that an agent, who had promised them legitimate jobs in the construction sector, instead had them sent to the battlefield under Russian command.
India Raises Issue With Russia
The MEA said it has taken up the matter at multiple levels. “We have raised this issue with the Russian authorities both in Delhi and Moscow, seeking the immediate release of Indian nationals. We are also in touch with the families of the affected Indian citizens,” Jaiswal confirmed.
This is not the first time such reports have surfaced. Over the past year, instances of Indians being misled by recruitment agents abroad and ending up in high-risk conflict zones have come to light. The MEA has repeatedly cautioned against such practices, stressing that citizens must verify opportunities through official channels before taking up overseas employment offers.
