Russia agrees to end recruitment of Indians in its military

Russia has broadly heeded to India's call to end the recruitment of Indians as support staff to the Russian military and ensure the return of those still operating in the force, top sources said on July 9.

It is learnt that the issue was brought up by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on an official visit to Moscow, during an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 8. An announcement on Russia's decision to discharge all Indians working as support staff to the Russian Army is expected soon.

Russia has broadly agreed to our request on the issue, the sources said.

Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said two more Indian nationals serving with the Russian Army were killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, taking the number of such deaths to four.

Following the deaths of two Indians, New Delhi demanded a "verified stop" to further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army.

The MEA had also said the issue of Indian nationals serving with the Russian Army remains a matter of "utmost concern" and demanded action from Moscow over it.

In March this year, 30-year-old Hyderabad resident Mohammed Asfan succumbed to injuries sustained while serving with Russian troops on the frontlines with Ukraine.

In February, Hemal Ashwinbhai Mangua, a 23-year-old resident of Surat in Gujarat, died in a Ukrainian air strike while serving as a "security helper" in the Donetsk region.

(PTI)