Reports of Indians with Russian army seeking help inaccurate: Centre

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs informed on Monday that media reports of Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge from service are inaccurate.

Many of the Indians who were working as supporting staff to the Russian army were discharged following India's demand, PTI reported.

The Ministry asserted that the Centre has taken it as a 'top priority' in pressing Russia to discharge all relevant cases of Indian nationals from the Russian army.

There were reports that several Indians have been working as security helpers in the Russian military, and they were forced to even fight with Russian soldiers in certain areas along Russia's border with Ukraine.

"We have seen some inaccurate reports in the media regarding Indians with the Russian army seeking help for discharge," the MEA said in a statement.

"Each and every such case brought to the attention of the Indian embassy in Moscow has been strongly taken up with the Russian authorities, and those brought to the attention of the Ministry have been taken up with the Russian embassy in New Delhi," it said.

The MEA added, "Several Indians have already been discharged as a result."

Last week, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was in touch with Moscow for early discharge of Indians working as support staff to the Russian army and urged its nationals to stay away from the conflict zone in Ukraine.

"We urge all Indian nationals to exercise due caution and stay away from this conflict," he had said.

All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi had earlier urged the MEA to rescue the Indians.