The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, once again 'strongly discouraged' Indian nationals from taking the 'dangerous path' of enlisting in the Russian armed forces, amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The fresh advisory marks at least the third such public warning issued over the past two years, as the government continues to receive reports of Indian citizens being recruited — and in some cases willingly enlisting — into Russian military ranks.

What the MEA Advisory Says

The MEA's statement acknowledged that despite repeated warnings, Indians continue to be recruited into the Russian armed forces. The advisory specifically flagged two disturbing trends: individuals knowingly seeking out such offers for monetary gain while expecting the Indian government to later secure their release, and others voluntarily renouncing Indian citizenship to obtain Russian passports before enlisting.

'We have also come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian Government. It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the Government,' read the MEA statement.

The ministry added: 'There have also been numerous instances wherein individuals have approached Indian authorities to willingly give up their Indian citizenship, avail a Russian passport and then get recruited in Russian armed forces. Some have already done so without consulting Indian authorities, having been lured by temporary monetary benefits.'

Recruitment by Non-State Entities

The MEA also flagged a concerning parallel track — the recruitment of foreign nationals, including Indians, by non-public entities and voluntary groups operating outside official Russian military structures. Indian nationals were advised to exercise 'due diligence' before accepting job offers from agents not registered with the MEA, warning that such engagements carry serious legal and physical risks. This echoes a pattern observed in multiple conflict zones where informal recruitment networks target economically vulnerable individuals with promises of quick earnings.

139 Indians Released, Dozens Still Stranded

As of July 2026, 139 Indian nationals had been released from the Russian army following sustained diplomatic engagement, according to the MEA. However, roughly two dozen Indians reportedly remain embedded in Russian military units, and efforts to secure their discharge are ongoing.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the figures during a bi-weekly media briefing on 31 July: 'We have been following up with the Russian side for the release of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. So far, our efforts have led to the release of 139 Indian nationals; we continue to pursue the release of the remaining two dozen Indian nationals who are reportedly in the Russian army.'

Jaiswal also reiterated the government's caution: 'Once again, we would like to caution our people against job offers that are fraught with risk and made by unscrupulous individuals and agencies.'

Why This Matters

The advisory reflects a broader challenge India faces as a labour-exporting country with a large diaspora vulnerable to predatory recruitment networks. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has created an unusual demand for foreign fighters and support personnel, with reports emerging from several countries of irregular recruitment operations. For India, the stakes are diplomatic as well as humanitarian — New Delhi has walked a careful line between its longstanding ties with Moscow and its stated commitment to international law and the safety of its citizens abroad.

This is also the first explicit public acknowledgement by the MEA of Indians voluntarily giving up citizenship to serve in the Russian military — a development that adds a new dimension to what had previously been framed primarily as a trafficking or deception problem.

Government's Ongoing Engagement

The MEA confirmed that the Government of India remains 'continuously engaged with the Russian side' to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of all Indian nationals currently serving in the Russian armed forces. Citizens were advised to approach only MEA-registered agents for overseas job placements and to report any suspicious recruitment activity. The ministry urged prospective job-seekers to verify all overseas employment offers through official channels before committing.

With roughly two dozen Indians still unaccounted for within Russian military structures, the pressure on New Delhi's diplomatic engagement with Moscow is set to continue.