NEW DELHI: According to India, a “major human trafficking network” has been unearthed that enticed young men to Russia with the promise of employment only to coerce them into taking part in the conflict in Ukraine.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) announced late on Thursday that about 35 personnel have been dispatched to Russia as part of the scheme so far; this is an increase from the 20 guys that the Indian foreign ministry had previously acknowledged.
According to their relatives, at least two individuals who traveled to Russia with the intention of joining the army as “helpers” have lost their lives in battle. One of those deaths was confirmed by the Indian Embassy in Russia.
The CBI said in a statement that the traffickers, who were active in multiple Indian states, used social networking sites and local agents to target individuals.
According to the CBI’s criminal case, in an attempt to entice some of the men, admission to “dubious private universities” in Russia was also promised, along with “free discounted visa extensions.” The CBI stated that some of the victims had also suffered “grievous injuries” in the conflict zone. “The trafficked Indian nationals were trained in combat roles and deployed at front bases in Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their wishes,” the agency added.
According to the CBI, searches were underway at several places, including the nation’s capital New Delhi and Mumbai, the financial hub, and cash worth 50 million rupees ($605,000) had already been found, along with certain papers and electronic data.
It stated, “A few suspects have also been held for interrogation at different locations.”
According to the foreign ministry, Moscow has been “strongly taken up” with every instance of Indians being tricked into fighting in the conflict.
Seven men have requested assistance from the Indian government to return home in videos posted on social media this month. They claim to have entered Russia on tourist visas but are now being coerced into serving in the army.
