‘Stay away from conflict’: Centre’s advisory as Indians ‘forced to fight’ in Russia

India on Friday 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.

At a press briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “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.”

Earlier this week, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi had urged Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to rescue three Indians who allegedly had been forced to join the Russian Army and fight in the war against Ukraine.

According to a report in The Hindu, at least three Indian nationals were allegedly duped by an agent and sent to Russia to work as “Army security helpers”. These men are from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.

The matter came to light after the family members of one of the victims, who is from Hyderabad, approached Owaisi.

“Kindly use your good offices to bring these men back home. Their lives are at risk and their families are justifiably worried,” Owaisi tweeted, tagging Jaishankar.

If officially confirmed, it would be the first instance of Indians fighting alongside the Russian military, either by choice or coercion, in the ongoing war.

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, Ukrainian forces are on the back foot, short of ammunition and forced to retreat in some areas as Russian troops press an offensive campaign. 

Much of the war has descended into grinding artillery battles, with both sides firing thousands of shells every day. Recent days have seen the symbolic capture of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and the US Congress blocking vital military aid to Kyiv. 

Ukraine could fire more shells than Russia for much of 2023, but the tables have turned as Moscow has ramped up production and imported rounds from North Korea and Iran, reported Reuters.

Meanwhile, the United States is set to announce new sanctions on Moscow on Friday over the death last week of Putin’s opponent Navalny in his Arctic prison.