At least 45 Indians who were tricked into the Russian Army were released ever since New Delhi took up the matter with Moscow, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Monday. "As of now, 45 Indians were released by the Russian Army and approximately 50 are yet to be released," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Speaking to the media during MEA's weekly press conference, Jaiswal asserted that 35 Indian nationals were released after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow. Prior to PM Modi's Russia visit, at least ten were released and returned home.
"At least six of them returned a few days ago. We believe approximately 50 are still there who will return soon," he added.
Indian youths in the Russian Army
The matter came to light in January this year after media reported about the tricking of some youths into the Russian Army. Later, the Ministry of External Affairs also confirmed the same but did not provide the exact numbers. However, in Rajya Sabha, EAM S Jaishankar informed the members that some 80-90 Indians were recruited. He said that these youths were duped into fighting for the Russian Army in the war against Ukraine on the pretext of lucrative jobs.
PM Modi strongly took matter with Putin
When PM Modi visited Moscow in July, he strongly took up the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian side agreed to release all the Indians from their army. Besides, PM Modi, Jaishankar also took up the matter with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov on multiple occasions.
Earlier on Monday, Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney said, at least 15 youths who were tricked into the Russian Army, were released. "Fifteen Indian youths, including 4 from Punjab, are being repatriated from Russia after being released from the Russian Army. I have been taking up this issue since March 2024," Sahney wrote on X.
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