An Indian national recruited by the Russian army has been killed, while another is undergoing treatment for injuries in a Moscow hospital, India’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has raised the issue with Russian authorities in Moscow and the Russian Embassy in New Delhi, reiterating its demand for the early discharge of remaining Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces, the ministry said in a statement.
“We are working with Russian authorities to ensure the early transportation of the mortal remains to India,” the ministry said. “We have also sought the immediate discharge and repatriation of the injured individual.” Both individuals are from the southern state of Kerala, the statement said.
In May, Indian police arrested four individuals linked to a human trafficking network suspected of luring young Indian men to Russia under false pretenses of lucrative jobs and education opportunities, only to coerce them into fighting in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Following the deaths of Indian nationals in Ukraine last year, the Indian government demanded an end to the recruitment of its citizens into the Russian army. Authorities have also urged Indian citizens to exercise caution when seeking employment in Russia.
According to the foreign ministry, 45 Indian nationals have been discharged from Russian military service since then, with efforts ongoing to secure the release of an additional 50 individuals. In September, the ministry renewed its warning against such recruitments.
