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War in Ukraine: Two Indian citizens recruited by Russia killed

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Image source, Getty Images

Image description, Dozens of Indians have reportedly been tricked by agents into fighting for Russian forces in Ukraine.

  • Author, Ethirajan Anbarasan
  • Role, BBC News

India said two of its citizens, recruited by the Russian army, were killed in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The Indian Foreign Ministry said it had asked Russian authorities to repatriate the bodies of the two dead.

The ministry also called on Moscow to immediately release and return all Indian nationals serving in the Russian army.

There has been no comment from Moscow so far.

Dozens of Indians have reportedly been lured into fighting for the Russian armed forces by agents with money and a Russian passport. The BBC has spoken to some of them.

Some said they were forced to take on combat missions in the Russian army.

Others have also come forward on their own initiative.

“We regret to inform that two Indian citizens, recruited by the Russian army, were recently killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement, without naming the victims.

The ministry also urged Indian citizens to “exercise caution when seeking employment in Russia.”

In May, Indian police arrested four people allegedly linked to a human trafficking network accused of luring young men to Russia with promises of jobs or education and then forcing them to fight in Ukraine.

At least two other Indians died fighting for Russian forces earlier this year.

While India calls on Russia to release its Indian citizens serving in the Russian army, it refuses to condemn the Kremlin for its all-out invasion of Ukraine, instead urging both sides to seek peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, Nepal and Sri Lanka have warned their citizens in recent months not to be lured by the false promises of human traffickers after it emerged that hundreds of their nationals were taking part in the war as mercenaries.

Kathmandu says at least 20 Nepalese have died fighting for Russia.

At least 16 former Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far, most of them serving in the Russian army.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry discussed the issue with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Moscow on Monday, the ministry said.

It was agreed that “there will be no further recruitment from Sri Lanka,” the ministry said.

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