In what can be termed as a major breakthrough for New Delhi, Russia has reportedly agreed to discharge all Indian recruits fighting on the Ukraine battlefront. The formal announcement is likely to be made after the bilateral meeting between PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin later in the evening today.
According to a PTI report, the development came after PM Modi brought up the issue during the private dinner hosted by Putin on Monday night. Another report by The Hindu said that Putin has already sent out instructions of early release of those Indians who wish to return home.
The development is a welcome relief for the families of several Indians who were ‘misled’ into fighting for Russia against the ongoing war with Ukraine. In June, India’s Ministry of External Affairs had said that as many as four Indians were killed in the war. After this, MEA had sought a “verified stop” by the Red Army in recruiting Indians.
It was back in March, when the killing of Mohammed Asfan, a 30-year-old Hyderabad resident revealed the fake jobs nexus and how Indian nationals were being recruited to fight the war against Ukraine. Asfan lost his life after he was injured on the battle front and suffered grievous injuries. He was the second Indian national who died on the battle front. The first Indian casualty was Hemil Mangukiya, a 23-year-old, from Gujarat’s Surat. He was serving as ‘security helper’ in strife-torn Donetsk region when he was killed in a reported missile attack.