Russian embassy in Delhi says Indian nationals 'voluntarily contracted for military service'

Russia on Saturday (August 10) denied being engaged in any "public or obscure campaigns" in "fraudulent schemes" to recruit Indian nationals in the country's military amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Russian embassy in NewDelhi stated: "The Embassy expresses deep condolences to the Government of India and the families of the deceased."

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government said in the country's parliament that eight Indian nationals had died while serving in the Russian military.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

"The agencies concerned in both countries work in close coordination for early identification and discharge of Indian nationals who voluntarily contracted for military service in Russia. All contractual obligations and due compensation payments will be fulfilled in full measure," the Russian embassy statement added.

"Since April this year, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation has stopped the admission of citizens of several foreign countries, including India, to military service in the Russian Armed Forces. The Embassy outlines that the Russian Government has at no point of time been engaged in any public or obscure campaigns, more so in fraudulent schemes to recruit Indian nationals for military service in Russia," the statement read.

On Friday (August 9), External Affairs Minister Dr SJaishankartold Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Indian parliament, that the government is awaiting the release of 69 Indian citizens recruited into the Russian army. He also saidthat in many cases there are suggestions that Indianswere misled into joining the Russian military.

Also watch |Russia-Ukraine War: Russia's bold incursion into Russia's Kursk

"We should not jump the gun and say Russians are not serious on this matter. I think it is important to hold the Russian government to their word and most important for us, we are not here to score points or enter into debates. We are here to get back those 69 people because Indian citizens should not be serving in the army of foreign countries," Jaishankarsaid in reply to queries by All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and Member of Parliament, Asaduddin Owaisi.

(With inputs from agencies)