INDIA ARRESTS “MAIN RECRUITERS” FOR DUPING YOUNG MEN INTO FIGHTING FOR RUSSIA IN UKRAINE

India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has disclosed that four individuals associated with a human trafficking network have been apprehended on charges of enticing young men to Russia with promises of lucrative employment opportunities or university admissions, only to coerce them into participating in the conflict in Ukraine.

The CBI announced late on Tuesday that the detained Indian nationals included a translator, an individual facilitating visa processing and airline ticket bookings, as well as two “main recruiters” operating in the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This development comes after the agency revealed in March that approximately 35 Indian men had fallen victim to this scheme.

The investigation “is continuing against other accused persons who are part of this international network of human traffickers”, the CBI said announcing the arrests, which come two months after raids across 13 locations in India as investigators detained several people for questioning.

Families of two Indian casualties in the conflict have asserted that their loved ones traveled to Russia with the expectation of working as “helpers” in the military. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asserted that it has raised each case with Russian authorities. The MEA has also stated its efforts to secure discharges for approximately 20 Indian nationals serving in the Russian army.

According to accounts from several Indian recruits, they were enticed to enlist with promises of substantial salaries and Russian citizenship, only to find themselves deployed to the front lines. Despite assurances of non-combatant roles, these individuals were trained in weaponry and dispatched to Ukraine.

India’s stance on the conflict differs from that of other nations, as it has refrained from condemning Russia, opting instead for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. The close ties between India and Russia, spanning decades and encompassing various sectors from defense to trade, underscore this nuanced approach.

Moreover, India’s reliance on Russian oil has surged since the outbreak of the war, with Moscow emerging as the country’s primary oil supplier for the second consecutive year in the previous fiscal year.