Two Indians who were recruited by the Russian Army were killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, said the Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on Tuesday. The ministry said that it has pressed the Russian authorities for early repatriation of the mortal remains of the two individuals.
It also said that the Indian Embassy in Moscow has taken up the matter with Russian Ambassador in New Delhi and Russian authorities in Moscow for early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with Russian Army.
India has also demanded a verified stop to further recruitments by the Russian Army.
"We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Moscow have strongly taken up the matter with the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi and with Russian authorities in Moscow respectively, for early release and return of all Indian nationals who are with the Russian Army," said the MEA in its statement.
"India has also demanded that there be a verified stop to any further recruitment of our nationals by the Russian Army. Such activities would not be in consonance with our partnership," it added.
In March, two Indian citizens were killed in the conflict that they were forced to fight alongside the Russian Army. Their bodies were brought back to Delhi on March 16 after which they were taken to their homes in Surat and Hyderabad respectively.
Speaking on the issue at that time, foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said that there were around 20 persons who had sought help to return after they were lured to Russia with promises of job but pushed to the frontlines instead.