Fifth Indian killed fighting for Russia in Ukraine

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this month and received “assurances” on the matter, the Indian Foreign Ministry said.

Ravi Moun, 22, went to Russia in January after a private employment agency promised him a job in transport, his brother Ajay told AFP by phone.

However, he later received weapons training and was forced to take part in the fighting on the border with Ukraine in March.

“After losing contact with him, I contacted the Indian Embassy in Moscow and they informed us that my brother had died,” Ajay said, adding that the family had been asked by the embassy to send DNA samples to identify Moun’s body.

Ajay said his brother returned from the border once but was later taken back to fight.

It was unclear when he died.

“After that, we lost contact with him,” Ajay said, adding that his family had asked Modi for help in getting Moun’s body back.

More than two years after the start of the Russian invasion, tens of thousands of Russian soldiers have already been killed in Ukraine and Moscow is currently searching for more troops around the world.

India’s foreign ministry said last week that the government was continuing to work with Russian authorities to bring back about 50 Indians fighting alongside the Russian army.

According to local media reports, four more Indian soldiers have died so far this year.

Indian authorities have arrested several people on suspicion of recruiting Russian citizens as fighters after promising them a civilian role.

Despite rapid economic growth, unemployment in India remains high and every year many people seek work abroad.

These include thousands who had sought work in Israel due to the labor shortage caused by the war against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

India is a long-time ally of Russia and has shied away from explicitly condemning the invasion of Ukraine.

Modi said he discussed the conflict “openly and in detail” when he met Putin this month. He called for a peaceful dialogue, adding that “war cannot solve problems.”

pzb/gle/fox