India has issued a cautionary advisory to its citizens, emphasizing the importance of exercising prudence and refraining from involvement in the conflict arising from reports indicating the alleged coercion of some Indians into participating in Russia's military actions against Ukraine.
During a recent press briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, addressed concerns surrounding the reported enlistment of a few Indian nationals for auxiliary roles within the Russian army. Jaiswal underscored that the Indian Embassy has been actively engaging with pertinent Russian authorities to facilitate the prompt release of these individuals from their obligations. In light of these developments, Indian nationals have been urged to exercise vigilance and distance themselves from the ongoing conflict.
Earlier this week, Asaduddin Owaisi, the chief of AIMIM and Member of Parliament representing Hyderabad made an impassioned appeal to Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, seeking intervention in the case of three Indians allegedly coerced into joining the Russian Army to partake in the Ukraine conflict.
As per a report published in The Hindu, it is alleged that an agent misled at least three Indian citizens, dispatching them to Russia under the guise of employment as "Army security helpers." These individuals hail from diverse regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The revelation surfaced after relatives of one of the victims, a resident of Hyderabad, reached out to Owaisi seeking assistance. Owaisi took to Twitter to implore Jaishankar to utilize diplomatic channels to repatriate these individuals, citing the imminent danger they face and the profound distress experienced by their families.
If these reports are substantiated, it would mark a significant development, potentially representing the inaugural instance of Indian nationals being coerced or voluntarily engaging in combat alongside the Russian military amidst the ongoing conflict.
As the conflict in Ukraine enters its third year, Ukrainian forces find themselves at a disadvantage, grappling with shortages of ammunition and instances of strategic retreat in certain regions under pressure from advancing Russian troops.
The war has largely degenerated into protracted artillery duels, characterized by relentless barrages of shells from both sides. Recent events include the symbolic seizure of the Ukrainian city of Avdiivka and the withholding of critical military aid to Kyiv by the US Congress.
Despite Ukraine's previous advantage in artillery firepower over Russia, recent developments indicate a reversal of fortunes as Moscow intensifies production efforts and sources additional ammunition from countries like North Korea and Iran, as reported by Reuters.
In parallel, the United States is poised to announce fresh sanctions against Moscow in response to the recent death of Putin's political opponent, Navalny, while in custody in the Arctic region.
