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NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Friday said it has identified 44 Indian nationals currently serving in the Russian Army amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. The ministry added that it has once again taken up the matter with Russian authorities to seek their release and end the practice of such recruitment.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, addressing the ministry’s weekly press briefing said India remains in touch with both Russian officials and the families of those affected.“We have received information that several Indian nationals have been recruited into the Russian Army. We have raised this matter with the Russian authorities, urging them to secure the release of these individuals at the earliest and to end this practice. According to our understanding, there are currently 44 Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army,” he said.Also Read | ‘Illegal nuclear activities keeping with Pakistan’s history’: India takes note of Donald Trump’s nuke testing remark – watchJaiswal said the government is providing regular updates to the families and coordinating with Moscow to ensure the safe return of the affected individuals.The remarks come ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled visit to India in December and days after families of several Indian youths allegedly forced to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war held protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. The families, many of whom had lost contact with their relatives, demanded government intervention to bring them back safely.When asked about reports of an increasing number of Indians joining the Russian Army and whether agents responsible for their recruitment had been identified, Jaiswal said discussions with Russian authorities on the issue were ongoing.He also warned Indian citizens against taking up offers to join the Russian Army, calling them life-threatening. “We once again take this opportunity to urge everyone to stay away from offers to serve in the Russian Army. Such offers are extremely dangerous and involve significant risks to life,” Jaiswal said.The issue has drawn national attention after reports emerged of Indian youths being duped into joining the Russian military under the pretext of employment or study visas. Families from across states including Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Telangana have claimed their relatives were coerced or misled into enlisting as “helpers” or “support staff” and later deployed on the frontlines.Earlier this month, families from over 10 states, including relatives of two men who died in the conflict, protested at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, holding placards urging both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Putin to intervene.One such case is that of Samarjeet Singh, a 21-year-old from Ludhiana, who travelled to Russia on a study visa and has been missing for nearly two months after reportedly being seen in a Russian Army uniform near the Ukrainian border. His family continues to seek government assistance to locate him.The situation has also gained international attention after Ukrainian forces claimed to have captured an Indian national allegedly fighting for Russia, identified as 22-year-old Majoti Sahil Mohammed from Gujarat. He reportedly joined the Russian Army after being promised freedom and good pay.India has repeatedly appealed to Moscow to release all its nationals serving with Russian units and warned citizens against falling prey to fraudulent recruitment offers.
