Indian Citizen Reportedly Killed After Forced Recruitment into Russian Conflict; Calls for Repatriation Intensify
New Delhi (Reuters) – The family of Ravi Moun, a 21-year-old Indian man from Haryana state, has reported that he was killed after being forcibly conscripted to fight in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Moun had traveled to Russia in January under the impression that he would be employed in the transport sector, a prospect arranged by an agent, according to his relatives. However, upon arrival, Moun was reportedly coerced into joining the Russian military effort.
Moun’s family last heard from him on 12 March and have since been in persistent contact with the Indian government, urging authorities to locate and repatriate Moun. "If he knew he would have to fight, he would not have gone...why would he go where death could be waiting?" said Sonu Mator, Moun’s cousin. The family is seeking official assistance to bring Moun’s body back since they cannot afford the repatriation costs on their own, Mator added.
A letter from the Indian Embassy in Moscow, dated last week, confirmed Moun's death but did not elaborate on the circumstances. Gloria Dung Dung, the second secretary at the embassy, was the signatory of the letter, according to The Indian Express newspaper.
The Ministry of External Affairs of India has yet to issue a formal comment on the situation. However, the Russian Embassy in India has reiterated its commitment to resolving issues involving Indians who were allegedly duped and conscripted into the Russian military. The Indian government has arrested at least four individuals connected to this recruitment scam.
This incident comes shortly after Russia assured New Delhi that Indians who had been coerced into military service would be released. Both Sri Lanka and Nepal have reported similar cases involving their citizens being illegally recruited.
Escalation in Donetsk: Russian Forces Overrun Key Villages Amid Unrelenting Assaults
Donetsk Region (AP/Reuters) – Russian forces have intensified their offensive in Ukraine's Donetsk region, capturing the frontline villages of Vovche and Prohres, according to a chief sergeant from Ukraine’s 47th Separate Mechanised Brigade. The sergeant, who spoke to Radio Svaboda under the condition of anonymity, detailed the relentless and large-scale assaults that overwhelmed Ukrainian defences.
These villages lie approximately 20 miles northwest of Avdiivka, a strategic city that Russian forces seized back in February following prolonged conflict. Oleksandr Shyrshyn, commander of the 47th brigade, confirmed the loss of these areas to local media, attributing it to poor training, inadequate officer capabilities, low motivation, and insufficient weaponry among Ukrainian troops.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the situation in the region as “extremely challenging” in a statement made on Sunday. The Ukrainian General Staff has not yet issued an official comment on the status of Vovche and Prohres.
The Russian strategy of attritional warfare, heavily leveraging their numerical and equipment advantages, has enabled them to make incremental gains since capturing Avdiivka. The conflict, now in its third year, shows no sign of abating as both sides continue to exchange heavy blows.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes and Defence Efforts Continues Amid Ongoing Conflict
Kyiv/Donetsk (Defence Ministry/General Staff) – Ukrainian forces continue to engage in defensive and counter-offensive operations. Recent reports highlight a series of successful drone strikes by Ukrainian forces on Russian armoured vehicles. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence released dramatic footage showing First Person View (FPV) drones striking a Russian tank and three infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), repelling an attack by Russian forces on the positions held by Ukraine's 79th Air Assault Brigade.
Elsewhere, Ukraine's armed forces have targeted vital Russian infrastructure. Over the weekend, a drone strike ignited significant fires at an oil depot in Russia's southern Kursk region. This depot is utilised to support Russian military operations. Kyiv’s security services were attributed with the strike, which resulted in powerful explosions and substantial damage to the facility.
The ongoing conflict continues to exact a heavy toll, with Russia launching 52 attacks on Pokrovsk in the eastern Donetsk region within a 24-hour period—an intensification of hostilities. Ukrainian authorities have confirmed that five civilians were killed and 15 others were wounded in these assaults.
Amid the escalating war, Russia claimed to have thwarted a substantial Ukrainian drone offensive, 'intercepting and destroying' 39 drones aimed at various Russian regions, including those bordering Ukraine. These drone strikes have become a critical tactic for Ukraine, aiming to disrupt the military capabilities and infrastructure of the Russian forces.
As combat persists on multiple fronts, both nations continue to grapple with the severe repercussions of an intractable and costly conflict.