Russia Forces Indian Students Into War in Ukraine Through Fake Jobs and Visas

Russia has launched a new wave of recruiting Indian nationals into its armed forces, often by deception and coercion, according to The Times of India on September 23.

The cases involve individuals who traveled legally to Russia for study or work and were later forced into military service and deployed to the front lines in Ukraine.

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At least 20 Indian citizens, mostly from Punjab and Haryana, have reported being misled and forced into Russian service in recent months.

This is not the first instance of Indian nationals caught in the war. In October 2024, India repatriated 85 citizens who had been recruited into the Russian military, following reports that at least nine Indians had been killed on the battlefield.

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation has since opened criminal cases against 19 people involved in recruitment schemes and carried out several arrests.

Indian lawmaker Vikramjit Singh Sahney [said] that most citizens were lured to Russia under the pretense of employment.

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