The Russian Embassy in New Delhi has issued a statement vehemently denying any involvement in “fraudulent schemes to recruit Indian nationals” for their military service. The embassy clarifies that the Russian Ministry of Defence ceased accepting foreign nationals, including Indians, into the Russian Armed Forces since April of this year.
The statement addresses recent allegations of Indians being misled into fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war under the guise of lucrative job offers. The embassy maintains that the Russian government has never engaged in any public or covert recruitment campaigns targeting Indian nationals for military service.
Acknowledging multiple media inquiries regarding Indian citizens serving in the Russian armed forces, the embassy highlights the ongoing collaboration between Russian and Indian agencies to identify and expedite the discharge of Indian nationals who voluntarily enlisted.
The embassy also refers to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July, where the issue of Indian nationals in the Russian army was raised, resulting in a Russian assurance of their “early discharge.”
Further, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently informed the Indian Parliament that 91 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian armed forces, with 14 already discharged and 69 awaiting release.
In light of recent deaths of Indian nationals serving in the Russian army during the Ukraine war, the embassy expresses deep condolences to the Government of India and the families of the deceased. The embassy assures that all contractual obligations and compensation payments will be fulfilled in full.
