New Delhi, Sept 30: The government of India on Wednesday issued an advisory, cautioning countrymen about risks and dangers in joining the Russian military which is currently engaged in a conflict with Ukraine.
“We are continuing to see reports about Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. Government has on several occasions over the past two years underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and advised Indian citizens from time to time to be cautious while pursuing job opportunities abroad and not get lured by any job offers from unverified individuals,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its travel advisory.
The advisory added: “We have also come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian Government. It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the Government.”
The advisory also said that a number of Indian nationals have been lured into taking up Russian citizenship for “short-term monetary benefits,” and urged against subscribing to such practices as well.
At least 49 were killed in the conflict, while the status of over 20 nationals remain unclear, and are considered as missing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week at the United Nations General Assembly had said that citizens from 47 countries have fought for Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine.
The almost half-a-decade long war has seen the frontlines remain largely frozen in eastern Ukraine, while the two sides have intensified air strikes and drone strikes in recent months. (NVI)
