India, Sept. 11 -- India on Thursday "strongly urged" its nationals to stay away from any offers to join the Russian army, describing it as a "course fraught with danger."

Responding to media queries on Indians recruited into the Russian army, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "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. We have also taken up the matter with Russian authorities, both in Delhi and Moscow, asking that this practice be ended and that our nationals be released. We are also in touch with the families o...