India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday strongly dissuaded Indian nationals from joining the Russian army, citing recent media reports.
This follows a statement from two Indian nationals allegedly recruited into the Russian army that there were at least 13 others with them—all of whom had travelled there on a student/visitor visa, but were lured into the warzone, as per a report from The Hindu.
Our response to media queries on Indians recruited into the Russian army
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) September 11, 2025
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The Indians were reportedly lured into joining the Russian army on the pretext of doing construction work.
Sumit Sharma (22) came to Russia around six months ago for a language course at the Moscow State Linguistic University (MSLU). After accepting an offer for "construction work" to earn extra money during his stay in Russia, he and many others were allegedly taken to a camp on August 20.
"Without any training they have brought us to an occupied area in Ukraine and are not letting us leave. We have been cheated, we are stuck here," he told The Hindu from Selydove, a Russian-occupied town in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.
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“There are 15 Indians here. Some were taken to the war zone further ahead and at least four are missing. We are hearing that they have been killed in the war. Please save us," Sharma added.
Gursevak Singh (26), who had also come to Russia on a student visa, said that he did not want to "meet the same fate" as other Indians who were already sent to the front lines, and whose situation was unknown.
This follows an August 2024 statement from Russia that it no longer admitted Indians into its armed forces, adding that it was working in "close coordination" with India to help discharge Indians recruited to fight against Ukraine.
By then, as many as 91 Indians had been recruited through dubious means to fight on behalf of Russia in its war against Ukraine—which has now exceeded three years, as per a BBC report.
At the time, 9 Indians had died in the conflict and Indian authorities had arrested 19 people for human trafficking.
