In a major breakthrough, Indian authorities have uncovered a "major human trafficking network" that had been luring young men with promises of job opportunities in Russia, only to coerce them into fighting in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) disclosed late on Thursday that approximately 35 individuals had been sent to Russia as part of this nefarious scheme, nearly double the earlier figure of 20 reported by the Indian foreign ministry.

Tragically, the families of at least two men who were sent to Russia under the pretense of serving as "helpers" in the army have confirmed their deaths while fighting on the front lines in Ukraine. The Indian Embassy in Russia has corroborated at least one of these casualties.

According to the CBI, the human traffickers operated across multiple Indian states and utilized social media platforms and local agents to target their victims. The trafficked individuals were subjected to combat training and deployed against their will to front bases in the war-torn Russia-Ukraine zone. Disturbingly, several victims also sustained grievous injuries in the conflict.

The CBI has launched searches at various locations, including New Delhi and Mumbai, resulting in the seizure of cash amounting to 50 million rupees ($605,000). Additionally, a number of documents and electronic records have been confiscated. Several suspects have been apprehended for further questioning at different sites.

The Indian foreign ministry has affirmed that it has strongly confronted Moscow regarding each case of Indian citizens being duped into participating in the Ukraine war. Despite the deep-rooted ties between New Delhi and Moscow, India has refrained from explicitly condemning Russia for its actions in Ukraine. Instead, it has advocated for a peaceful resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, labeled as a "special military operation" by Moscow, thousands of lives have been lost on both sides. While India and Russia have enjoyed a robust relationship for decades, India's increased purchase of affordable Russian oil has raised concerns among Western nations.

The exposure of this human trafficking network sheds light on the alarming exploitation of vulnerable individuals who were promised better opportunities abroad but instead found themselves ensnared in a deadly conflict thousands of miles from home. The Indian government's commitment to eradicating such criminal networks and seeking justice for the victims remains steadfast.