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Indian nationals deceived and enlisted in Russian army
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the alarming situation, revealing that several Indian youths were deceived by unscrupulous agents into joining the military forces engaged in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
seven men from Punjab and Haryana claim to have been coerced into the battlefield / Screengrab from Twitter video
In a tragic turn of events, an Indian man, Mohammed Afsan, has died while fighting for Russia in its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The 30-year-old from Hyderabad was reportedly lured into joining the Russian Army under false pretenses by a fraudulent job agent.
Afsan's death comes just a week after another Indian, a 23-year-old 'helper' in the Russian Army, was killed in a Ukrainian air strike. Additionally, nearly a dozen other Indians have come forward claiming they were also tricked into joining the military after falling prey to similar job scams.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow has confirmed the death of Mohammed Afsan and is currently working to have his remains transferred to his hometown of Hyderabad. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged that some Indian youths were recruited by agents who deceived them into joining combat in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and has taken up the matter with Russian authorities for their discharge.
We have learnt about the tragic death of an Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with the family and Russian authorities. Mission will make efforts to send his mortal remains to India.@MEAIndia
— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) March 6, 2024
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has acknowledged the alarming situation, revealing that several Indian youths were deceived by unscrupulous agents into joining the military forces engaged in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The MEA has initiated communication with Russian authorities to secure the discharge of these unwitting recruits.
Media reports regarding Indian nationals seeking discharge from the Russian Army:https://t.co/khl2aGAF2h pic.twitter.com/QmLC8WS5TR
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2024
Meanwhile, a video has surfaced, gaining viral traction, featuring seven men from Punjab and Haryana who claim to have been coerced into the battlefield despite intending to visit Russia for New Year celebrations. The individuals, identified as Gagandeep Singh (24), Lovepreet Singh (24), Narain Singh (22), Gurpreet Singh (21), Gurpreet Singh (23), Harsh Kumar (20), and Abhishek Kumar (21), recount their ordeal. Allegedly arriving in Russia on December 27 for a festive occasion, the group was misled by an agent who, upon reaching Belarus, demanded additional funds before abandoning them. Subsequently, the stranded individuals were apprehended by local authorities and handed over to Russian officials, compelling them to sign unspecified documents.
“The contract was in their language which we could not understand, but we signed it. They enrolled us in a training centre and we realised later that they had cheated us. They enrolled us in their army and gave training…. After training, we were dropped off in Ukraine and they put some of our friends on the frontline. And now they are saying they will push us to the frontline. We are not ready for any war and we cannot even hold guns properly, but they are forcing us to fight in the war against Ukraine. We are hoping that the Indian government and embassy will help us,” they said.
All such cases that were brought to the notice of the Embassy were taken up with the Russian authorities immediately.@MEAIndia @AmbKapoor https://t.co/pgKA1yAg6p
— India in Russia (@IndEmbMoscow) February 23, 2024
The Indian Embassy in Moscow is actively engaged in efforts to repatriate the remains of the deceased, Mohammed Afsan, to his hometown in Hyderabad.
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