Indian dies in Russia conflict, family waits for his remains

RELATIVES of a Haryana youth who died in Russia have said he was killed after being forced to fight in the war against Ukraine, and are petitioning the government to bring his body back.

Several men and their families have contacted India's foreign ministry over the last few months saying they were duped into travelling to Russia with the promise of jobs or education only to be forcibly recruited into its army, officials at the ministry said.

At least four other people have been killed in the violence, they say.

Ravi Moun, 21, hailing from Matour village in Haryana's Kaithal district, travelled to Russia on January 13 after being contacted by an agent who promised him a job in the transport sector, his relatives said.

Once there, however, he was forced to fight in the war.

Moun's family last spoke to him on March 12 and had been trying to contact the government for help in tracking him down, they said.

His brother Ajay Moun wrote to the embassy on July 21 for information on Ravi's whereabouts. "The embassy told us that he has died," he said.

The family said the embassy also asked them to send a DNA test report for identification of the body.

"If Ravi knew he would have to fight, he would not have gone...why would he go where death could be waiting?" said Sonu Mator, his cousin, adding that the family needed the government's help to bring back the body.

"We do not have the money to arrange for it ourselves," Mator said.

Ajay alleged that the Russian Army asked his brother to go to the frontline to fight against Ukrainian forces or face 10 years in jail.

He was trained to dig trenches and later sent to the frontline, Ajay added.

"We sold off a one-acre land and spent Rs 1.15 million (£10,704.50) to send him to Russia," he said.

A letter from the Indian Embassy in Moscow last week informed Moun's relatives of his death without elaborating on the circumstances under which he died.

"The Russian side had confirmed the death," wrote Gloria Dung Dung, the second secretary at the embassy, the Indian Express reported.

Officials from India's foreign ministry did not respond to requests from Reuters for comment.

Moun's death comes days after Russia promised New Delhi that Indians duped into joining its army would be discharged.

Earlier this month, prime minister Narendra Modi raised the issue with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Last month, the external affairs ministry said the issue of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army remained a matter of "utmost concern" and demanded action from Moscow.

The Russian Embassy in India has also said that Russia is committed to finding the "earliest possible solution".

India has arrested at least four people associated with the racket.

The South Asian nation has refused to condemn Russia's war with Ukraine, which began in February 2022, and instead called for peace through dialogue and diplomacy.

Sri Lanka and Nepal have also said that some of their citizens have been illegally recruited. (Agencies)