MEA asks Russia to release Indians in its army, urges its citizens to ‘stay away’ from Ukraine war

In its statement, ministry of external affairs says it's aware few Indians had signed up for jobs in Russian army, which has been recruiting nationals from other countries in support roles.

File photo of External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar | BAY ISMOYO/Pool via Reuters

New Delhi: The ministry of external affairs (MEA) has urged Russia to relieve Indian nationals in “support jobs” in the country’s army and also asked Indians to stay away from the Russia-Ukraine war.

The ministry said in a statement Friday that it was aware a few Indians had signed up for jobs in the Russian army. “The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge,” the statement said, adding, “We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict.”

The MEA statement comes after reports in The Hindu highlighted that nearly 100 Indian nationals have been recruited as security helpers in the Russian army in the past year, and at least three Indians were forced to fight along with the Russian army on the border with Ukraine, according to the newspaper.

Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi first raised the issue in December 2023 with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

Speaking at a press conference Wednesday, Owaisi said he had also written to the Indian ambassador in Russia.

According to Owaisi, at least two Indians from Telangana, three from Karnataka, one from Gujarat, two from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Uttar Pradesh are currently in the Russian army.

The Russian army has been recruiting nationals from foreign countries in support roles as a part of its military effort in Ukraine. In January, Nepal had announced it would be halting work permit visas to Russia and Ukraine.

At least 10 Nepali soldiers have been killed while serving in the Russian army, according to media reports. At least 200 Nepali citizens are working in the Russian army, with around 100 missing according to Reuters. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine has been ongoing since 24 February, 2022.

The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has verified 30,457 civilian casualties since the war began two years ago.

At least 10,582 civilians have been killed, while a further 19,875 have been injured, according to the UN.

(Edited by Tikli Basu)