India calls for early 'discharge' of nationals working for Russian Army

India has asked Russia for the early release of some Indians working with the Russian army in “support jobs”, and urged its nationals to stay away from the two-year-old Ukraine war.

The move came following a report that some Indians were working as support staff to the Russian army in the conflict zone.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said “We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army,”

He said the Indian embassy in Moscow has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their ’early discharge’. ‘We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict,’ he said.

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Russia –Ukraine conflict erupted in February 2022. Tens of thousands of soldiers on both sides have since died in the bloodiest land war in Europe since World War Two.

According to media reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military, and they were forced to fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russia’s border with Ukraine.

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had urged the external affairs ministry to rescue the Indians. ‘Sir @DrSJaishankar kindly use your good offices to bring these men back home. Their lives are at risk & their families are justifiably worried,’ Owaisi said on X on Wednesday.

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With inputs from agencies.