India repatriates 45 citizens from Russia who were recruited for war in Ukraine
India has freed 45 citizens who were recruited by Russia for the war against Ukraine. Approximately 50 more still remain in the Russian army, according to NDTV.
According to media reports, India is currently working to repatriate all Indian nationals who have been recruited. In early July, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the release of Indian citizens from the Russian army with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Russia is conducting a recruitment campaign to lure citizens of other countries to join the Russian army. In India, job offers or enrollment in "private universities" were promoted through social media and local agents. However, when these individuals arrived in Russia, their passports were confiscated and they were sent to the front lines against Ukraine.
According to NDTV, Russia has already recruited about a hundred Indians to participate in the war in Ukraine. It is known that four of them have been killed on the front line. In India, the police have arrested at least four people involved in the recruitment for the Russian army.
Recruitment of Indians by Russia
In June, news emerged about the deaths of two Indians in the Russian army. Following this, New Delhi demanded that the Kremlin return the recruited citizens.
As reported by Reuters, during his visit to Moscow, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the swift release of Indians from the Russian army.
In addition to Indians, Russia has also attempted to recruit Serbs and Ukrainians living in occupied territories.