Several Indians discharged from Russian army following India's demand: MEA

Pic/AFP

Several Indians who worked as support staff to the Russian army were discharged following India's demand, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.

It said India remains committed, as a matter of "top priority", to actively pursuing with the Russian authorities all the relevant cases of Indian nationals for an early discharge from the Russian army, reported PTI.

According to media reports, several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military and they were forced to even fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russia's border with Ukraine.

"We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge," the MEA said in a statement, reported PTI.

"Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian embassy in New Delhi," it said, reported PTI.

The MEA added, "Several Indians have already been discharged as a result," reported PTI.

Last week, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was in touch with Moscow for early discharge of Indians working as support staff to the Russian army and urged its nationals to stay away from the conflict zone in Ukraine.

"We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict," he had said, reported PTI.

Earlier, the foreign ministry urged citizens to exercise caution amid reports of Indian nationals signing up for support jobs with the Russian Army.

It said that the Indian embassy has taken up the matter with the Russian authorities for their early discharge.

"We are aware that a few Indian nationals have signed up for support jobs with the Russian army. The Indian Embassy has regularly taken up this matter with the relevant Russian authorities for their early discharge.," MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaishwal said in a statement on February 23.

He said, "We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict."

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier urged the MEA to rescue the Indians, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI and ANI)