India warns citizens against joining Russian army as Russia offers millions to recruit foreigners

New Delhi: India on Wednesday has issued a fresh warning to its citizens against joining the Russian armed forces, saying some Indians are being attracted by promises of money and jobs. The warning comes as Russia continues to offer large financial incentives to bring foreign nationals into its military.

In its latest advisory, the ministry said, it continues to receive reports of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces. The government said it has been warning Indians for the past two years to be careful while looking for jobs abroad and not to get attracted by offers from unverified individuals.

The latest advisory also highlights cases where Indians are knowingly seeking to join the Russian military because they believe they can earn money and later approach the Indian government for release. The MEA called this a dangerous path and strongly advised Indians against taking it.

The ministry said some individuals have also tried to give up their Indian citizenship, obtain a Russian passport and then join the Russian armed forces. Some have already taken such steps without consulting Indian authorities after being attracted by temporary financial benefits.

Russia puts more money into foreign recruitment

The warning comes against the backdrop of Russia’s growing efforts to attract foreign manpower. RNA Media had earlier reported, that authorities in Russia’s Irkutsk region had approved a payment of up to 1.5 million roubles for every foreign national recruited into the Russian armed forces, based on a report by independent Russian outlet Vyorstka.

The payment was approved by Irkutsk governor Igor Kobzev in a decree signed on September 10. Vyorstka reported that the amount was the highest such regional incentive reported in Russia and was almost four times the earlier maximum payment of 400,000 roubles.

RNA Media had also reported that other Russian regions were increasing recruitment payments. Smolensk Oblast raised its payment for helping recruit a contract soldier from 115,000 to 1 million roubles, while Ryazan Oblast increased some payments for foreign nationals and Russians registered outside the region.

The rising payments point to the importance Russia is placing on recruitment as the Russia-Ukraine war continues into its fifth year. The country needs a steady flow of personnel to maintain its military operations, while the wider Russian economy is also dealing with a shortage of workers.

Russia has increasingly looked beyond its own population for manpower during the prolonged war. Foreign nationals have become part of that recruitment effort, while Russia has also received military personnel from North Korea.

Why India is warning about job offers

For Indians, the concern is not only direct military recruitment. The MEA said foreign nationals are being recruited through non-public entities, including voluntary groups, and advised Indians to check such agents carefully before accepting job offers.

The government has repeatedly asked Indians looking for jobs abroad to verify employers and recruitment agents. The latest warning is particularly important because an offer that appears to be a civilian job can potentially lead to military service.

RNA Media had earlier reported on international concerns surrounding the recruitment of foreigners into the Russian military. Amnesty International has documented cases in which foreign nationals were allegedly approached with promises of civilian jobs, high salaries, residency rights or Russian citizenship before being drawn into military service.

The issue has also affected Indian nationals already serving in Russia. In an earlier MEA briefing reported by RNA Media, foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, said 227 Indians had been identified as having been recruited into the Russian armed forces, of whom 51 had died and 139 had been discharged.

India said it remains engaged with Russia to ensure the safety, well-being and early release of Indian nationals serving in its armed forces.