Indian National's Death in Russia: India Urges Swift Evacuation of Citizens from Conflict Zone

"We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army. Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

Reacting strongly to reports of the death of an Indian national in Russia, India on Tuesday reiterated its demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indians currently serving the Russian Army in the conflict zones.

"We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army. Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.

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The senior diplomat has expressed condolences over the death to the family. The Indian Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families and is providing all possible assistance, he added.

"We are working with the Russian authorities for early transportation of the mortal remains to India. We have also sought the early discharge and repatriation to India of the injured person. The matter has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi today. We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals," he added.

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India, therefore, holds it of considerable concern that the fate of Indians who are fighting on behalf of Russia in the war in Ukraine hangs in the balance.

India had maintained that such recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian army is not in consonance with the India-Russia diplomatic partnership. It has called for the earliest possible release and return of all such Indian nationals.

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Last year, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to Moscow, Russia had decided to release and facilitate the return of all Indians fighting for the Russian army against Ukraine.

The breakthrough was achieved when PM Modi raised the matter at a private dinner hosted by Putin.

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More than two dozen Indians are believed to have been forced into fighting the war against Ukraine over the last few years after being tricked by agents into going to the country on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs.

"Strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises," the authorities had confirmed, last year.

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