Archive · 30 Sep 2026
India Warns Citizens Against Joining Russian Armed Forces
India has warned its citizens not to join Russia’s military through suspicious job offers.
Some people were promised money and later hoped India could help them leave.
The government says this is very dangerous because the recruits may be exposed to war and serious harm.
Some people have even given up Indian citizenship or obtained Russian passports before joining.
The Ministry of External Affairs says unverified agents and voluntary groups may recruit foreign nationals.
Indians are being told to check job offers carefully and use agents registered with the ministry.
India is talking with Russia to help citizens already serving there.
The ministry said 139 Indians had been released, while about two dozen were still being pursued for release at the time of one briefing.
India issued a fresh advisory warning nationals in Russia against recruitment into the Russian armed forces.
The Ministry of External Affairs called joining for monetary benefits a dangerous path and strongly discouraged it.
Officials said some Indians were lured by unverified job offers and sought release only after joining.
The advisory cited cases involving renounced Indian citizenship and Russian passports before enlistment.
India said it remains engaged with Russia to secure the safety and early discharge of affected nationals.
- Who
- The Government of India and its Ministry of External Affairs warned Indian nationals, while seeking the release of Indians serving in the Russian armed forces.
- What
- A fresh travel and employment advisory cautioned Indians against recruitment into the Russian armed forces through unverified offers.
- When
- The advisory was issued on Wednesday; the government said it had repeated similar warnings over the previous two years.
- Where
- Russia, in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
- Why
- The government said recruitment can expose Indians to mortal dangers, especially when they are lured by temporary monetary benefits or unverified agents.
- Issuing authority
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs
- Advisory target
- Indian nationals travelling to Russia or seeking employment there
- Main warning
- Do not accept unverified offers involving recruitment into the Russian armed forces
- Recruitment sources
- Non-public entities, including voluntary groups, may recruit foreign nationals
- Agent verification
- Job agents should be registered with the Ministry of External Affairs
- Indians released
- 139 Indian nationals had been released from the Russian Army, according to a July briefing
- Remaining cases
- About two dozen Indian nationals were reportedly still in the Russian army at that briefing
Sources
'Don’t Get Lured': MEA Warns Indians Against Joining Russian Armed Forces; Highlights Risks and Dangers
MEA Issues Fresh Warning To Indians Being Lured Into Russian Armed Forces
Govt issues fresh travel advisory on Russia to check recruitments in armed forces there
Dangerous path, strongly discouraged by govt: MEA on reports of Indian nationals joining Russian armed forces
