Russia recruits foreigners: more than 200 Indian citizens involved in the war against Ukraine
Since 2022, Russia has recruited more than 200 Indian citizens to take part in the war against Ukraine, despite promises to release them following Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Moscow. Some of the Indians have already returned home, but around 50 remain on the front line. Recruitment is carried out through promises of education or employment and forced contracts after minimal training, according to Ukraine’s 3rd Army Corps.
The 3rd Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine released a documentary investigation into the mechanism of forced recruitment of foreigners into the Russian army. The investigation focuses on 23-year-old Indian citizen Majoti Sahil from the state of Gujarat, who surrendered to soldiers of Ukraine’s 63rd Separate Mechanized Brigade.
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, since 2022 Russia has recruited 202 Indian citizens to fight in the war against Ukraine. Of these, 119 have returned home, 26 have been killed, 7 are listed as missing, and about 50 remain in the ranks of the Russian army.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia in 2024, Moscow promised to release all Indian citizens from the Russian army. However, Ukrainian military officials say recruitment has not stopped and has even intensified.
According to the 3rd Army Corps, foreigners are lured to Russia by agents offering education or jobs. After arrival, they are held in detention centers, subjected to fabricated criminal cases, or forced to sign “voluntary” contracts. After minimal training, they are sent to the front line.
“This mechanism allows Russia to recruit foreigners on a mass scale without their voluntary consent and places them at serious risk,” the 3rd Army Corps emphasized. The documentary shows how forced recruitment operates in practice and how difficult it is for foreigners to return home, even with support from their own governments.
