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India Warns Citizens: Avoid Russian Army Recruitment, "Fraught With Danger"
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News18•30-09-2026, 19:30
India Warns Citizens: Avoid Russian Army Recruitment, "Fraught With Danger"
- •India issued a travel advisory urging citizens not to join the Russian armed forces and to exercise due diligence before accepting job offers in Russia.
- •The advisory follows reports of 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian army, with 51 deaths, 139 repatriations, and around two dozen still serving.
- •Many Indians were allegedly lured to Russia with promises of civilian jobs but were then pressured into signing military contracts, often without proper understanding.
- •Some recruits were deployed to frontlines in eastern Ukraine, including Donetsk, despite expecting non-combat support roles.
- •India continues diplomatic efforts with Moscow to secure the release of its citizens still serving in the Russian military, emphasizing the dangers involved.
Key Questions Answered
According to the Indian government and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, a total of 227 Indian citizens were recruited into the Russian armed forces.
As of September 2026, 51 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military have lost their lives.
Recruitment agents attracted candidates from northern states like Punjab and Haryana with promises of high-paying non-combat jobs, construction work, or civilian roles, only to allegedly pressure or deceive them into signing military contracts.
