India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a fresh advisory warning citizens against joining the Russian armed forces, saying it continues to receive reports of Indian nationals being recruited, according to a statement released in New Delhi on September 30 2026.

The ministry said it had repeatedly set out the risks over the past four years ever since the war in Ukraine began in February 2022, and had advised Indian citizens to be careful when pursuing work abroad and not to be drawn in by offers from unverified individuals.

A growing pattern identified by the ministry involves Indians actively seeking out recruitment into the Russian military in the expectation of financial rewards, on the assumption that they can later secure their release by approaching the Indian government. The advisory described this as a dangerous path and said it was strongly discouraged.

The ministry also said people had approached Indian authorities asking to renounce their Indian citizenship in order to obtain a Russian passport and then enlist. Some had already taken that step without consulting Indian officials, drawn by short-term financial gain, according to the advisory. The government urged individuals to weigh the seriousness of such decisions and the mortal dangers involved, and to refrain from taking them.

Recruitment of foreign nationals into the Russian armed forces is also being carried out by non-public entities, including voluntary groups, the ministry said. Indians were advised to carry out checks before accepting offers from agents that are not registered with the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Indian government said it remains in continuous contact with the Russian side over the safety, welfare and early discharge of all Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces.

The advisory did not give figures for the number of Indians currently serving in Russia's military as of September 2026 or detail the status of discharge requests.