New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (foreign ministry) has issued a statement in response to media reports about Indian nationals seeking discharge from the Russian army. The ministry has clarified that it has been actively pursuing the discharge of these individuals with the Russian authorities.
The foreign ministry’s statement came in the wake of media reports claiming that Indians in the Russian army were seeking help for discharge amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The ministry has labelled these reports as “inaccurate”.
In a statement, on Monday, the ministry said: “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 further stated that several Indians have already been discharged because of their efforts and the ministry remains committed to actively pursuing all relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army.
The foreign ministry’s actions are in response to a job fraud scam where Indian youth were promised jobs as helpers or in other non-combat roles in the Russian army, as India Sentinels had reported earlier. However, upon arrival in Russia, they were drafted into a private militia force to fight Ukrainian forces.
The ministry has urged all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict. The Indian government is actively pursuing the discharge of Indians in the Russian army amid reports of job fraud.
The foreign ministry’s statement has brought some relief to the families of the affected individuals, who are eagerly awaiting their safe return. The Indian government continues to work closely with the Russian authorities to resolve this issue promptly.
