Amid hunger at home, number of Indians in Russian Army sharply rises
New Delhi: The number of Indians serving in the Russian army has risen sharply to 44, up from 27 in September, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that several Indian nationals have recently been recruited by Russian military units and urged Moscow to release them at the earliest while ending the recruitment of Indian citizens.
Jaiswal reiterated the government’s advisory against joining the Russian military, describing such enlistment as “fraught with danger to life.” He said Indian authorities are in constant touch with both the Russian side and the families of those involved and are taking action against facilitators to prevent Indians from being misled into risky military contracts.
According to government records, of 127 Indians recruited by Russia earlier this year, 97 have been discharged, 12 are reported dead, and the remainder remain unaccounted for.
Observers say the rising number of Indians in Russian and Israeli armies reflects growing frustration at home, where unemployment, poverty, and hunger leave many with few options. Faced with limited opportunities, some youth are reportedly driven to enlist as mercenaries in Russian and Israeli forces, seeking livelihood and survival, despite the high risks involved. Critics contend that this trend exposes both the economic desperation in India and the vulnerability of its citizens to exploitation in overseas conflicts.
