Indian nationals return home after serving in Russian army in its war against Ukraine

By Ahmad Adil

NEW DELHI (AA) - Indian nationals recruited into the Russian army to fight in Ukraine have returned home after being discharged by the Russian Army.

"I am not able to believe that I have back home,” said Mohammed Sufiyan, 22, from southern Telangana state, who returned safely late Friday. He said horrific scenes about the war are “still fresh in my mind.”

India's premier investigating and prosecuting agency, the Central Bureau of Investigation, announced in May the arrests of four people on charges of trafficking nationals for combat roles in the Russian armed forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Moscow in July and raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said this week that 45 Indian nationals have been discharged six came back this week. Several others would soon be coming back.

“There are 50 odd Indian nationals who are still with the Russian army for whom we are trying our best to get them discharged as early as possible,” he said.

At least four Indians have been killed in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

India is one of Russia's major economic partners and has exponentially increased its imports of Russian crude oil in recent months