Indian Students Deceitfully Recruited into Russian Army, MEA Warns

Indian nationals who entered Russia on student, visitor, or business visas are being drawn into the Russian Army through deceitful recruitment schemes, according to multiple reports and official statements as of September 2025. Families in Punjab, Haryana, and Jammu say loved ones were promised well‑paid civilian jobs, only to be pushed into military service and sent to the frontlines of the Russia‑Ukraine war. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has condemned the practice and urged citizens to refuse any offers, warning of severe danger, legal trouble, and the risk of death or injury.

At least 15 Indian men in 2025 alone reported being misled by agents offering “security” or construction roles with pay around Rs 2.5 lakh per month. One of them, 25‑year‑old Ankit Jangra, traveled to Moscow for a Russian‑language course and says he was later made to sign Russian‑language papers, issued a uniform, and deployed after minimal training. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these cases follow a pattern first seen soon after the conflict escalated in 2022, where civilians on valid visas were coaxed into roles that turned out to be military in nature.

Government response and diplomatic engagement

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said the government has taken up the matter with Russian authorities in both Delhi and Moscow, calling for an immediate stop to recruitment of Indians and the release of those already serving. The MEA says it remains in regular contact with the families of affected individuals and continues to press for safe returns. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue during his Moscow visit in July 2024.

• Russia’s embassy stated in August 2024 that it had halted such recruitment, yet reports through 2025 point to continued activity and fresh victims.
• Official figures cited by Indian authorities indicate that historically 126 Indians were recruited, with 12 killed, 96 released, and 16 missing.
• The current number for 2025 is unclear and believed to be rising, according to families and community leaders who are filing new complaints.

The MEA has reiterated its warning multiple times this year, calling the offers “dangerous” and “unacceptable,” and urging citizens to avoid intermediaries who target students and short‑term visitors.

On‑the‑ground accounts and pattern of coercion

Survivors and families describe a consistent pattern of steps used to lure and coerce recruits:

1. Travel to Russia on a legitimate visa after contact with private agents in India or abroad.
2. Signing documents in Russian for supposed civilian jobs, often after verbal promises.
3. Brief training, issuance of uniforms, and rapid deployment to Ukraine.
4. Poor living conditions, limited food, and forced combat roles despite little training.

Several trapped individuals have posted SOS videos from the conflict zone, pleading for help and warning others not to follow. Families report that phone calls can be irregular and controlled, increasing fear and uncertainty. Media reports describe young men with no military background placed into high‑risk duties; some have died in combat, while others fear they will not make it home.

Community leaders in Punjab and Haryana say men were drawn by promises of quick money and a path to longer stays in Russia, only to find themselves in uniform within weeks. Opposition figures, including Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, have amplified SOS messages and pushed the government to accelerate rescues.

Lawmakers across party lines have condemned the agents behind these schemes and urged stronger action against networks preying on job seekers. Meanwhile, the human cost is mounting:

• Parents selling land to pay recruiters
• Spouses waiting for news
• Siblings relaying messages to the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Moscow

For many families, the hardest part is not knowing whether their sons are safe. Parents describe interrupted calls, messages sent at odd hours, and sudden silence after frontline movements. Some men report feeling trapped by contracts they did not understand, fearing punishment if they try to leave. They say they were told not to ask questions and not to speak about their postings, adding to the secrecy around these operations.

The MEA links this crisis to broader travel risks in conflict zones and urges citizens to rely only on official channels. Officials warn that private job offers made on social media or through local agents can hide dangerous conditions and may involve illegal tasks. They also stress that joining a foreign military without authorization can carry legal consequences in India, apart from the life‑threatening risks in a war zone.

“Avoid intermediaries and offers that sound too good to be true. Report suspicious recruiters and rely on official advisories,” — MEA guidance (paraphrased).

Policy implications, safety guidance, and next steps

Indian authorities say they will continue pressing Moscow to stop recruitment, release Indian nationals, and ensure safe returns. They are also expected to widen outreach campaigns at home to warn students and short‑term travelers about the scam.

Likely policy and operational steps include:

• Greater screening of overseas job offers
• Stronger police action against recruiters
• Closer monitoring of travel trends to Russia
• Expanded public outreach by community groups, especially in Punjab and Haryana

Community groups have begun local drives to caution families and students before they consider Russia as a study or work destination.

Practical steps for those at risk or already affected

• Do not sign any job contract in a language you cannot read; insist on a verified translation.
• Refuse any offer that involves uniforms, weapons training, or “security” tasks near conflict areas.
• Keep scanned copies of your passport, visa, and local contacts stored securely online.
• Share your travel plan and daily check‑in routine with trusted family members.
• If trapped, try to send clear location details and names of units or bases to family and the Indian Embassy.
• Families should file written complaints with local police and submit details to the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Moscow.

The MEA’s public advisories, updated regularly, remain the most reliable source for safety guidance on Russia and the war zone. Travelers and families can review these advisories on the MEA website’s advisories page at the official link here: Ministry of External Affairs – Advisories.

Officials encourage citizens to report any agent demanding large fees, promising unusual salaries, or offering quick visas bundled with job contracts.

Diplomatic approach and broader implications

New Delhi’s approach combines public pressure and quiet engagement: raising cases directly with Russian counterparts while conducting consular work to secure exits without worsening conditions for those still deployed. Families say every rescued person sparks fresh hope, but they want a broader solution that:

• Shuts down the recruitment pipeline
• Holds recruiters and intermediaries to account
• Provides faster repatriation for those coerced into service

This crisis highlights how quickly a legitimate study or visitor trip can become a life‑or‑death struggle when deceptive actors intervene. It also shows how fragile legal status abroad can become if a person is forced or tricked into roles far outside the terms of a visa.

For now, the clearest message from officials is firm and simple: avoid any contact with agents offering work tied to the Russian military, report aggressive or suspicious pitches, and seek help from official channels at the first sign of trouble.