Indians in peril: Russia-Ukraine conflict claims 12 lives
The Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported that at least 12 Indian citizens have died in Ukraine while serving in the Russian armed forces, with 16 individuals reported missing. Efforts are being made to repatriate the bodies.
According to "The Times of India", out of 126 cases of Indian citizens being inducted into the Russian military, 96 individuals have been discharged and have returned to India. Of the remaining 30, 12 have died, and 18 are still serving in the military, with 16 reported missing.
One of the casualties is 32-year-old Binil Babu, an electrician from Kerala, who died on the front line in January.
"The matter has been strongly taken up with Russian authorities in Moscow as well as with the Russian Embassy in New Delhi," reported a representative of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "We have also sought the early discharge and repatriation to India of the injured person," he added.
Appeal from the Indian authorities
At the beginning of 2024, the Indian authorities appealed to their citizens to avoid participating in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In March, they reported dismantling a network of intermediaries who were sending Indians to Russia under the pretext of offering them jobs. In May, four arrests were made on charges of human trafficking. The suspects were released on bail, and no progress has been reported in the case since then.
This shocking scheme was described by the American "The Washington Post".
