Avoid ‘dangerous path’ of travelling to Russia to join army: MEA

The government on Wednesday (September 30, 2026) “strongly discouraged” Indians from travelling to Russia to join the Russian Army, warning of the “mortal dangers” they would face there.

Also read | SC steps in on plea of Indians ‘stuck’ in Russia, ‘forced’ into war with Ukraine

In its toughest travel advisory issued since the Indian Embassy in Moscow began to detect a growing number of Indian expatriates being recruited to serve at the Russia-Ukraine warfront, the Ministry of External Affairs said that it continues to see reports of Indians signing up to join the Army despite several appeals and warnings. 

“The government has on several occasions over the past two years underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and advised Indian citizens from time to time to be cautious while pursuing job opportunities abroad and not get lured by any job offers from unverified individuals,” the MEA advisory said.

Lured by money, misled by recruiters

“It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the government,” it said, adding that it remains engaged with Russian authorities to ensure the safety and early discharge of all Indians in the Russian military. Officials said the worrying trend continued as many in India were falling for what they saw as “attractive” job offers, but were being misled by recruiting agents.

During his visit to Moscow in July 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue of Indian recruits who had signed contracts to join the Russian Armed Forces but wanted to return to India, with Russian President Vladimir Putin, extracting assurances of help. However, officials said that even as dozens of recruits had been helped to return after a special dispensation from Moscow, more were joining up, hoping to earn money and possibly emigrate. 

‘Understand mortal dangers’

In particular, the MEA advisory said that in “numerous instances”, Indian nationals had willingly joined the Russian armed forces, believing that once they had received adequate monetary benefits, they could approach the Indian government to secure their release. In other cases, some of those leaving India had applied for Russian passports so as to join the army, and then after facing hardships, requested support from the Indian Embassy. In addition, the government warned that, apart from the Russian military’s official agencies, several “non-public entities, including voluntary groups”, were also offering recruitment services, and Indians were left with few protections after accepting such unofficial offers.

“It is advised that individuals should consider the gravity of such actions and understand the mortal dangers they are exposing themselves to,” the MEA warned.

In May this year, the government had submitted details to the Supreme Court in response to petitions from family members asking the court to direct the government to help trace and repatriate their loved ones. According to the submissions, at least 217 Indians had enlisted in the Russian army since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, of which 49 had been killed in the conflict, 6 were confirmed missing, and 23 others were untraceable. The Indian Embassy had helped repatriate 139 recruits by ensuring they received their release from the Russian Army.