MEA Calls Reports Regarding The Discharge Of Indians From Russian Army ‘Inaccurate’ (image-twitter/mod_russia)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday issued a statement regarding the media reports claiming that Indians within the Russian army are seeking help for discharge. Expressing concern over the situation, MEA wrote on X, “We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge”.
Media reports regarding Indian nationals seeking discharge from the Russian Army:https://t.co/khl2aGAF2h pic.twitter.com/QmLC8WS5TR
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) February 26, 2024
The statement didn’t give any information regarding the media reports but it stated that “each and every case brought of the Indian Embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities”.
There is no clarity regarding how many Indians are working in the Russian army and how many are so far discharged. As per the Hindustan Times, the numbers serving with the Russian army could be up to 100.
The media has earlier reported that those who had signed up as “security helpers” with the Russian military, were forced to fight beside Russian troops along the border with Ukraine.
However, the MEA in its statement confirmed that several Indians have already been discharged as a result. MEA further stated that they remain committed and that the early discharge of Indians from the Russian army is a matter of top priority.
“We remain committed, as a matter of top priority, to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army,” the statement read.
Earlier, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader and MP Asaduddin Owaisi wrote on X urging the rescue of the Indians. “Sir @DrSJaishankar kindly use your good offices to bring these men back home. Their lives are at risk & their families are justifiably worried,” Owaisi wrote on Wednesday.
Sir @DrSJaishankar kindly use your good offices to bring these men back home. Their lives are at risk & their families are justifiably worried. https://t.co/pDmvdeO5HZ
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) February 21, 2024
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week that India was in touch with Moscow for early discharge of Indian nationals working as support staff to the Russian army and urged its nationals to stay away from the conflict zone in Ukraine.
