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By a fairly accurate estimate, about 50 Indian nationals are working in many Russian Army units who have contacted Indian embassy in Moscow pleading for their release.

During the weekly press briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday the 19th of July 2024, the official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 50 Indian nationals duped into serving with the Russian Army at the Ukraine war front have got in touch with the Indian government and want to be discharged.

Jaiswal added that up till now 0 Indians have so far returned, and 50 others have approached the Indian government seeking to be discharged from the Russian Army.

The issue of release of the Indian nationals was raised by PM Modi during his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow earlier this month.

“….We have 50 Indians who have got in touch with us and want to be discharged. This has been raised by us at all levels… This was raised by Prime Minister Modi at the 22nd annual summit with President Putin. The Russian side has responded positively, and we are working actively for their discharge, and hopefully they will come back soon,” the spokesperson said.

“50 want to be discharged, and 10 have returned before,” he clarified.

On June 11, the MEA had said that two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army had been killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The MEA also said that India has strongly taken up the matter with Russia for the early release and return of all Indian nationals with the Russian Army.

India has also demanded that there be a verified stop to any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army, adding that such activities “would not be in consonance” with the bilateral partnership.

It also urged Indian nationals to exercise caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia.

“We have sought a verified stop to the recruitment, and taken up the issue with all sincerity with the Russian authorities with the expectation that they are going to act. It is a matter of utmost and deep concern to us, and the Russian authorities will act on it soon,” the spokesperson said earlier.