New Delhi: The Russian embassy in India has denied that Moscow was engaged in any kind of obscure campaigns” in “fraudulent schemes” to recruit Indians for military services in Russia. Issuing a statement, the Russian Embassy in Delhi said that the country’s Ministry of Defence has stopped the admission of citizens from a number of foreign countries, including India in the military services of the country.
Russian embassy releases statement
“The Embassy outlines that the Russian Government has at no point of time been engaged in any public or obscure campaigns, more so in fraudulent schemes to recruit Indian nationals for military service in Russia,” the statement by the Russian embassy in India read. Condoling the deaths of Indian nationals while serving the Russian army, it added, “The Embassy expresses deep condolences to the Government of India and the families of the deceased.”
“The agencies concerned in both countries work in close coordination for early identification and discharge of Indian nationals who voluntarily contracted for military service in Russia. All contractual obligations and due compensation payments will be fulfilled in full measure,” the statement further read.
Notably, several Indian nationals were allegedly duped into fighting for Russian forces in the country’s war with Ukraine on the pretext of offering them lucrative jobs. Earlier in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Moscow, spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian forces. Recently, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, informed the Parliament that 91 Indian nationals were recruited in Russian forces. While 14 of them have been discharged and 69 are still waiting to be released. He had also informed that eight Indian nationals lost their lives while serving the Russian forces.