New Delhi: The government announced on Friday that several Indians have fallen victim to deception, being coerced into working alongside the Russian Army. They have taken robust action to address the issue, pressing the Russian authorities for their prompt release.

Nearly two dozen Indians have reportedly been ensnared into participating in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, lured by agents under false pretenses of lucrative job opportunities. Tragically, one individual lost their life earlier this week in the conflict zone.

In response, the government has launched stringent measures against the agents and fraudulent entities responsible for recruiting these individuals under false promises. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted raids across seven cities, uncovering evidence of a human trafficking network involved in sending Indians to Russia.

The CBI’s actions have led to the registration of a human trafficking case against numerous agents, underscoring the severity of the issue. Although 35 individuals were sent to Russia and Ukraine by these entities, it remains unclear if all were coerced into military involvement. Notably, at least 20 Indians trapped in Russia have reached out to Indian authorities seeking assistance.

The government issued a cautionary appeal to citizens, advising against succumbing to offers made by agents for support roles within the Russian Army, emphasizing the inherent dangers and life-threatening risks involved.

Expressing unwavering commitment, the government reiterated its resolve to secure the early release of affected nationals serving in support capacities with the Russian Army, ensuring their safe return home.

Last month, the government acknowledged the involvement of some Indians in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine following pleas from several families for their repatriation. These families, hailing from various parts of the country, alleged that their sons were falsely promised support roles in Russia but were ultimately coerced into military service.

Recently, a group of young men from Punjab and Haryana released a video appeal from Russia, revealing they were deceived into participating in the war against Ukraine.

Tragically, Mohammed Asfan from Hyderabad, one of the individuals deceived into joining the conflict, lost his life this week. The Indian Embassy in Moscow confirmed his demise, although details regarding the circumstances remain undisclosed.