Vladimir Putin‘s army is desperately scouring the world to find new recruits for its war in Ukraine.
The Russian army has suffered horrific losses since invading its western neighbour just over two years ago.
Both the UK and France estimate that Russia has sustained between 450,000 and 500,000 casualties.
France claims that at least 150,000 of those have been killed while fighting on the frontlines.
By way of comparison, the Soviet army lost just 15,000 soldiers during its 10 year campaign in Afghanistan.
The Kremlin has resorted to desperate measures to try and boost its frontline troops.
Initially they raided penal colonies, before casting the net further afield and trying to lure foreign mercenaries to their cause.
Now it seems that Indian men are being conned into taking up arms for Putin in the latest recruitment twist.
A BBC investigation has revealed that dozens of Indians have been duped into fighting for Russia by agents promising them education and jobs.
Some of the men said they were then forced into taking up combat roles with the army on arriving in Russia.
India’s government confirmed on Wednesday that two of their nationals had been killed while fighting in Ukraine for the Kremlin.
“We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” a foreign ministry statement said.
The ministry also urged Indian nationals to “exercise caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia“.
Russia has been recruiting extensively in the region, with hundreds of citizens from Nepal and Sri Lanka believed to have been lured into fighting for Putin’s army.
Kathmandu says at least 20 Nepalese have died fighting for Russia, while at least 16 former Sri Lankan soldiers have been killed in the conflict so far.