India, Sept. 11 -- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued a strong advisory to Indian nationals against joining the Russian army, following reports that several Indians who had traveled to Moscow were forced into combat roles in Ukraine.

"We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Wednesday.

The response comes after The Hindu reported that two Indian men, currently in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, claimed they had been lured to Russia on the...