External Affairs Ministry says about 20 Indians are stranded in Russia
New Delhi:
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) today said that at least 20 Indians stranded in Russia have contacted Indian authorities.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters today that India is making every effort to bring back the Indians and is in touch with Russian authorities.
The Center had on February 23 acknowledged that some Indians are trapped in Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine and said the government was coordinating with its Russian counterpart to facilitate their release.
Reports had emerged that dozens of Indians were allegedly duped into military service in Russia.
The unsuspecting Indians were promised supporting jobs, but were ultimately drafted into the Russian army, received misleading translations of documents and were forced to undergo military training contrary to their initial understanding.
Those tricked into fighting for Russia include a man from Jammu and Kashmir whose distraught family is waiting for his return.
Azad Yusuf Kumar was lured by a job agent and he reached the Ukraine border. The family said the 31-year-old was forced to fight the war and appealed to the government to intervene and help bring their son back.
Asad Yusuf’s cousin said, “We request the Indian government for their safe return and safe return home. All Indian children should come back safely.”
Kumar, a skilled laborer in digging tube wells, is a resident of Poshwan in Pulwama district. He is among the two Kashmiris who were tricked into fighting for Russia in December last year. A few days after being “recruited” into the Russian army, he suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
