Authorities in India have arrested members of a trafficking ring that lured young men to Russia with the promise that they would work in the army, while in reality forcing them to fight in the war against Ukraine.
About 35 men have been sent to Russia by the said network so far, India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said. Previously, the country’s foreign ministry said a total of 20 men, according to Reuters.
At least two men who went to Russia expecting to work as “helpers” in the army have died while fighting at the front, according to their families. The Indian embassy in Russia confirmed one of the two deaths.
The traffickers, who operate in many parts of India, target people using social media platforms and other mediums of local agents, according to the CBI.
Some of the men were even offered admission to “dubious private universities” in Russia along with “free and discounted visa extensions” to lure them.
“Indian nationals trafficked by the network were trained in combat roles and deployed to frontline bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone against their will,” the CBI alleged, adding that some of the victims were “severely injured” in the war zone.
According to the statement, searches were carried out at various locations – including New Delhi and Mumbai – and 50 million rupees ($605,000) in cash along with some documents and electronic files have already been seized.
“Some suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations,” it said.
In a video posted on social media this month, seven men are seen asking the Indian government for help to return home, saying they traveled to Russia on a tourist visa but are now forced to fight for it.
“We are trying to contact these people,” said foreign ministry spokesman Radhir Jaiswal. For its part, the Russian Foreign Ministry has not responded to requests for comment.
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