Fifth Indian killed fighting in Ukraine for Russia

NEW DELHI: An Indian soldier died fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine, one of his relatives said on Monday, the fifth confirmed death so far of an Indian citizen in the conflict.

Hundreds of Indians are among the thousands of foreign soldiers Moscow is believed to have hired to bolster its forces, and New Delhi has urged their repatriation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow this month and was “given assurance” to that effect, India´s foreign ministry said.

Ravi Moun, 22, went to Russia in January after he was promised a job in transport by a private recruitment agent, his brother Ajay told AFP by phone. But he was later given weapons training and forced to join fighting on the frontier with Ukraine in March.

“After losing contact with him, I approached the Indian embassy in Moscow and they informed us that my brother has died,” Ajay said, adding the family was asked by the embassy to send DNA samples to identify Moun´s body.