India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has uncovered a «major human trafficking network» that was deceiving young men into Russia to fight in the war against Ukraine. This was reported by Reuters with reference to the department.
CBI officers conducted searches in New Delhi and Mumbai, detained several suspects and seized 50 million rupeesin cash, as well as documents whose contents are unknown. According to Indian authorities, 35 citizens of this country were “lured” to Russia through social networks and local agents with promises of work, admission to private universities and assistance with free visa extensions. At least two of them died at the front. The death of one of the Indians, Mohammed Asfan, was confirmed by the country's Foreign Ministry.
Information about the participation of Indian citizens in the war against Ukraine appeared a few days ago. On March 6, NDTV journalist from New Delhi Uma Sudhir published a video in which seven of her compatriots in Russian-style military uniforms tell in their native language how they got to the front. A translation of their words into English states that the men first came to Belarus from Russia as tourists.
In Belarus, according to the Indians, they were detained by the police. Later, the men were handed over to Russian security forces, who forced them to sign unknown documents in Russian. The Indians then underwent 15 days of military training and found themselves at war.
The recruitment of foreigners to participate in the war was known before. In particular, Cubans and Nepalese were hired into the Russian army. In January, Vladimir Putin signed a decree that allows foreigners who have signed a contract for military service to obtain Russian citizenship.