Russia has been accused of forcing Indian migrants to fight on the front line in Ukraine.
Relatives have accused Moscow of luring people to Russia with the temptation of lucrative job opportunities, only to be forced to fight at the front against their will.
India’s foreign ministry has said that cases brought to its attention has been “strongly taken up”.
The Russian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Indian migrants are being lured to Russia according to families
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “We have an understanding that something like 20-odd people are stuck, we are trying our level best for their early discharge.”
One of those tempted to Russia was Mohammed Asfan from Hyderabad. His family said he travelled to Russia to work as a “helper” in the army.
His brother, Imran, said: “He called us from the Ukraine border to tell us his passport had been seized and he was being made to fight…he asked for help but by then he was already stuck.”
The Indian embassy in Russia, in a post on X, said efforts were being made to bring his body to India.
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Imran Asfan holds up a picture of his brother Mohammed who died while fighting in Ukraine
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Hemil Mangukiya, a 23-year-old embroiderer from Gujarat, was lured to Russia in December by a post on YouTube promising a job and permanent residence after six months.
The family found out about Hemil’s death on February 23, two days after he was killed, through a phone call from another Indian man who was fighting alongside him.
His father Ashwin Mangukiya said: “Hemil was told he would work as a helper in the army and would be trained for three months, but after reaching (Russia) he realized he was being trained to fight…We are still waiting for his body to arrive so we can conduct his last rites.”
Seven other men, in videos circulating on social media, have sought New Delhi’s help in returning from Russia.
Wife of Mohammed Asfan, Asma Shireen and their child in Hyderabad
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Local media reports they went there on tourist visas but were forced to join the army or face 10 years’ imprisonment.
India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the videos.
Tens of thousands of soldiers have died on both sides since Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine in Feb. 2022 in Europe’s bloodiest land war since World War Two, which Moscow calls a “special military operation”.
Source Agencies
