A stark warning has been issued by India&rsquo;s Ministry of External Affairs after reports surfaced that Indian citizens traveling to Russia on work or study visas were being pushed into combat roles in Ukraine.
The advisory follows disturbing accounts from two Indian men trapped in Ukraine&rsquo;s eastern Donetsk region, who said they were promised construction jobs but instead found themselves deployed to the frontline in Selydove, a town captured by Russian forces late last year. According to them, at least thirteen other Indians are in similar circumstances.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the government&rsquo;s position clear. &ldquo;We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly,&rdquo; he said in a statement.
The men reportedly traveled to Russia within the last six months, only to be caught in a trap laid by recruitment agents who lured them with false promises of lucrative construction work. Instead, their passports were taken and they were moved towards conflict zones, forced into military roles they neither sought nor understood.
The Indian government has formally raised the matter with Russian authorities both in Delhi and Moscow, urging that the practice be stopped and that those already forced into service be released immediately. Jaiswal confirmed that officials are also in touch with the families of those affected.
Reiterating its stance, the ministry issued a strong caution to the wider public. &ldquo;We once again strongly urge all Indian nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army as this is a course fraught with danger,&rdquo; Jaiswal said.
The reports underscore a growing concern about vulnerable Indians being exploited in conflict-hit regions, often through fraudulent recruitment schemes. With the Ukraine war grinding into another year, New Delhi is determined to ensure its citizens are not caught in a battle that is not theirs to fight.

MEA issues advisory after Indians lured with job offers end up on Ukraine frontline

India Warns Against Joining Russian Army

MEA issues advisory after Indians lured with job offers end up on Ukraine frontline

September 11, 2025 | 15:55 IST