Life-threatening job scams

The Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that 12 Indians, including Malayalis, who fell victim to job scams and were forced to join the Russian mercenary army, have been killed so far. The most recent casualty is Binil Babu, a native of Kuttanellur, Thrissur, who died in Ukraine due to gunfire from the Ukrainian army. Binil’s relative, Jain Kurian, a native of Wadakkanchery who travelled with him to Russia, was also injured in the firing and is reportedly undergoing treatment in Moscow.

Official reports indicate that 126 Indians have been part of the Russian army. Among them, 96 have returned to India, 18 are still serving in the Russian army, and 16 are unaccounted for. Efforts are ongoing to bring the rest back home.

Human trafficking gangs lure victims to Russia with false promises of high-paying electric jobs and other opportunities. After arriving in Russia, these individuals are given brief training and are forcibly recruited into the Russian mercenary forces. Even professional soldiers with proper training find it challenging to survive on the battlefield. Inexperienced individuals, with no knowledge of modern warfare or safety protocols, often succumb to the dangers quickly.

A powerful human trafficking mafia is behind the recruitment of Indians to Russia. They offer promises of Russian citizenship and lucrative salaries. The recruits are not informed about deployment to war zones initially. After arriving in Russia, they are told that working on the battlefield would earn them monthly salaries of ₹2.5 to ₹3.5 lakh, with an advance payment of approximately ₹4 lakh deposited in their bank accounts. Agents specifically target healthy young men from financially struggling families. These youngsters, burdened by family problems, often fall for the enticing offers. They are assigned tasks such as digging trenches for bunkers, food distribution, and transporting war supplies.

Joining the mercenary forces of another country is illegal and extremely risky. The exact number of Malayalis involved remains unclear. All district administrations in Kerala must investigate and report such cases to the Ministry of External Affairs. The Indian government needs to take immediate steps to rescue those trapped in such situations. The primary incentive offered is the promise of permanent employment in Russian companies after completing a one-year contract with the mercenary forces. However, most recruits lose their lives before completing their contracts, a fact well-known to the recruiters. Furthermore, no reliable information has been released regarding how many individuals, if any, have secured permanent jobs in Russia after completing such contracts. Similarly, the Ministry of External Affairs has no evidence of anyone gaining Russian citizenship through these means.

The police in Kerala must also investigate the human trafficking networks operating within the state. Every effort must be made to prevent such life-threatening job scams and put an end to these exploitative practices.