Two Kerala Youth Forced Into Russia-Ukraine Conflict Set To Return Home: MoS Muraleedharan

The Minister of State for External Affairs, V Muraleedharan, stated that discussions are currently ongoing with the Russian government to repatriate the two remaining residents of the state.

Muraleedharan is contesting from Attingal Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming 2024 general elections

Source : Facebook/VMuraleedharan

The Union Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said two of the four Kerala-based youths who fought the war against Ukraine after being recruited into Russian army by private agencies will soon return to their homes. The Ministry of State announced on Tuesday night that the Indian Embassy was preparing their travel documents for their return from Russia.

Muraleedharan, who is contesting from the Attingal Lok Sabha constituency in the upcoming 2024 general elections, told reporters, "We expect that they will soon return home." 

The MoS mentioned that discussions were underway with the Russian government to bring the remaining two residents of the state back. "Rest assured we are taking strong measures to ensure their return," he said, as per a report on PTI.

As per the accounts of their family members, the men were lured to Russia by a recruitment agency with the enticing prospect of earning a substantial salary of Rs 2.5 lakh.

The move comes three days after Kerala Opposition Leader VD Satheesan wrote to Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging for his immediate intervention to ensure the safe return of the men recruited by the Russian Army. Satheesan also demanded a probe against the recruitment agencies that were a part of the human trafficking network.

"When they arrived in Russia, their passports and mobile phones were confiscated and they were then forced to fight for Russia against Ukraine. It is learned that some of them are injured and their families back home have raised serious apprehension about the safety of the youths stranded in Ukraine," Satheesan said, as per the report. As a result, the Congress leader sought measures for the safe return of the three youths from Russia.