The external affairs ministry on Thursday said an estimated 20 people were still stuck in Russia after being recruited as "army security helpers" for the Russian army by an Indian agent.

A couple of them have been forced to fight Russia’s war against Ukraine and some have complained about not being paid the amount promised at the time of recruitment, forcing them to reach out to the government for help.

Asked whether the government had an estimate on the number of Indians stuck in Russia to fight its war against Ukraine, external affairs ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said: "We have an understanding that something like 20-odd people are stuck. We are trying our level best for their early discharge."

He said the stranded Indians had been told not to venture into the war zone or get caught in situations that are difficult. "We are in regular touch with Russian authorities both here and in Moscow. We are deeply committed to the welfare of our Indians."

To the question whether they were all in Moscow, Jaiswal was non-committal and said: "They are at various places but the embassy is in touch with Russian authorities to get them out."

According to media reports, 18 Indians have been stranded at different places along the Russia-Ukraine border since November 2023.

Though they had signed contracts to work as “army security helpers”, some of them were given weapons training and sent to the border to fight at gunpoint.

Twice over the past week-and-a-half since the story first broke, the ministry has said that it has taken up each and every case that has been brought to the attention of the government. As with any situation where Indians are stranded overseas in conflict situations, not everyone wants to leave and the government can offer a helping hand only to those who wish to return.

Even in the case of the last evacuation from Israel after the October 7 terror attack, over 18,000 Indians employed there as caregivers opted to stay back.