MEA Warns Indians Against Giving Up Citizenship to Join Russian Military

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs has cautioned Indian nationals against surrendering their Indian citizenship and taking up Russian passports to enlist in the Russian armed forces for temporary monetary benefits, identifying the practice as a major concern.

The latest caution comes after repeated government advisories over the past two years urging job seekers to exercise vigilance when pursuing overseas employment opportunities through unknown channels.

According to the advisory shared by MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal in a post on X, several individuals have willingly approached Indian authorities to renounce their nationality or have obtained Russian passports without prior consultation, lured primarily by short-term monetary incentives.

The government warned that signing military contracts under these circumstances exposes citizens to severe, life-threatening risks and creates complex legal hurdles for state intervention.

The MEA also addressed a widespread misconception among recruits that they can voluntarily join the Russian military for financial gain and later rely on diplomatic channels to secure an early release. Refuting this assumption, the Ministry emphasised that enlisting through such routes is an extremely dangerous course of action that severely complicates repatriation efforts.

"We are continuing to see reports about Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. Government has on several occasions over the past two years underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and advised Indian citizens from time to time to be cautious while pursuing job opportunities abroad and not get lured by any job offers from unverified individuals," the advisory read.

"We have also come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian Government. It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the Government," it added.

The government further pointed out that private agents and unregistered non-public entities, including voluntary groups, are actively recruiting foreign nationals into combat roles. Indian job seekers have been advised to exercise due diligence and verify that any recruitment agency operating in the region is formally registered with the MEA before accepting overseas offers.

"There have also been numerous instances wherein individuals have approached Indian authorities to willingly give up their Indian citizenship, avail a Russian passport and then get recruited in Russian armed forces. Some have already done so without consulting Indian authorities, having been lured by temporary monetary benefits. It is advised that individuals should consider the gravity of such actions and understand the mortal dangers they are exposing themselves to. The Government advises Indian nationals to refrain from taking such actions," the MEA noted.

"It has also come to our notice that foreign nationals are being recruited to serve in the Russian armed forces by non-public entities including voluntary groups. Indian nationals are advised to exercise due diligence before accepting job offers from such agents which are not registered with the Ministry of External Affairs," the advisory added.

Furthermore, the MEA noted that the government "remains continuously engaged with the Russian side to ensure the safety, well-being and early discharge of all Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces."

The MEA released a similar advisory on Wednesday cautioning Indian nationals against joining the Russian armed forces, warning them about the risks involved and advising them not to be lured by unverified job offers abroad.

"It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the Government," it said.