Authorities in India have announced the busting of a network of agents involved in sending individuals to fight for Russia in Ukraine under the guise of providing employment opportunities.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the agents were enticing people through social media platforms. The network spans across several states, and approximately 35 individuals have fallen victim to the racket, the agency reported.
This development follows the tragic deaths of two Indians who were deceived into traveling to Russia to participate in the war.
In a statement, the CBI revealed that the traffickers were part of an “organized network.” They utilized social media channels like YouTube and local contacts to lure unsuspecting youth with promises of lucrative job offers in Russia.
Earlier, a man from Uttar Pradesh living in Moscow disclosed to the BBC that he had been enticed to Russia by a YouTube channel, which promised a monthly salary of 150,000 rupees ($1813; £1,415). “We were not told that we are being drafted into an army,” he lamented.
The CBI’s investigation uncovered that trafficked Indian nationals were being trained for combat roles and deployed to front bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone against their will, exposing them to grave danger.
The agency has initiated legal proceedings against numerous private visa consultancy firms and agents, conducting searches at 13 locations, including Delhi and Mumbai. Cash amounting to 5 million rupees, along with incriminating documents and electronic devices, was seized from these locations. Several individuals have been detained for interrogation.
India’s foreign ministry acknowledged that some Indian nationals had enlisted for support roles with the Russian army. It stated that efforts were underway in collaboration with Russian authorities to secure the discharge of Indian nationals from the army.
The ministry also issued a cautionary advisory urging all Indian nationals to exercise caution and refrain from involvement in the conflict.
Source – BBC
