Network that lured citizens to Russia for war against Ukraine exposed in India – video

Indian law enforcement officers have busted a large human trafficking network that lured young men to Russia with the promise of work and then forced them to fight in the war against Ukraine.

Source: Reuters

Quote: "About 35 people have been sent to Russia in the scheme so far, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said late on Thursday, almost double the figure of 20 people that the Indian foreign ministry had earlier mentioned."

Details: It is said in the report that traffickers operating in several Indian states recruited people through social media and local agents. 

"The trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their wishes," the statement said, adding that some of the victims were also "grievously injured" in the war zone. 

The Central Bureau of Investigation noted that searches are being conducted in several locations, including the Indian capital New Delhi and the financial capital Mumbai, and cash worth 50 million rupees (US$605,000), as well as some documents and electronic records, have already been seized.

"Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations," it said.

At the same time, the Indian Foreign Ministry said that every case of deception of Indians to participate in the war is "strongly taken up" together with Moscow.

The Russian Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters' request for comment.

Previously: Before that, Uma Sudhir, a journalist for the Indian channel NDTV, posted a video on Twitter (X), where seven Indian citizens say in an appeal that they are being forced to participate in the war with Ukraine on the side of Russia.

23-year-old man who said he is from #Gurdaspur #Punjab #GagandeepSingh called @ndtv @ndtvindia to appeal to @MEAIndia @states_mea @DrSJaishankar to help them return to India; says 7 of them who met in Russia may be deployed any time, without any training, to fight war in #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/re6eFuyY1v

— Uma Sudhir (@umasudhir) March 4, 2024

Background:

• In January 2023, Ukraine’s National Resistance Center reported that Russia was recruiting mercenaries in the Balkans for a war against Ukraine.
• In March 2023, the Media Line reported, citing sources, that Russia was recruiting young Palestinians and was also looking for Syrians to participate in the war against Ukraine.
• Also in March 2023, Ukraine’s National Resistance Center noted that the Russians aim to involve 2,000 mercenaries from Belarus and about 100 from Angola in the war in Ukraine.
• CNN and opposition Nepalese MP Bimala Rai Paudyal stated that Russia had recruited about 15,000 Nepalese citizens to participate in the war against Ukraine.

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