Haryana man 'sent by Russian Army to fight against Ukraine' dies
Chandigarh (PTI): A 22-year-old Haryana man "sent to the frontline by the Russian Army to fight against Ukrainian forces" has died, his family claimed on Monday.
The Indian embassy in Moscow confirmed the death of Ravi Moun, who hailed from Matour village in Haryana's Kaithal district, his brother Ajay Moun said.
Ravi Moun went to Russia on January 13 after being "hired" for a transportation job but was inducted into the military, his brother claimed.
Ajay Moun wrote to the embassy on July 21 for information on his brother's whereabouts.
"The embassy told us that he has died," he said.
The family said the embassy also asked them to send a DNA test report for identification of the body.
"Ravi went to Russia on January 13. An agent sent him to Russia for a transportation job. However, he was inducted into the Russian Army," Ajay Moun said.
The family's claim comes days after Russia agreed to India's demand to ensure early release and return of Indian nationals inducted into the country's military.
Ajay Moun alleged that the Russian Army asked his brother to go to the frontline to fight against Ukrainian forces or face 10 years in jail.
He was trained to dig trenches and later sent to the frontline, Ajay Moun said.
"We remained in touch with him till March 12 and he was quite upset," he said.
According to the Indian embassy's reply to Ajay Moun's letter, "The embassy had requested the concerned Russian authorities for confirmation of his death and transportation of his mortal remains requested by you."
"The Russian side has confirmed his death. However, to identify the body, they need a DNA test from his close relatives," it added.
Ajay Moun also requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring his brother's mortal remains back to India.
"We do not have enough money to bring back his body," he told reporters.
The family sold off a one-acre land and spent Rs 11.50 lakh to send him to Russia, he said.
Earlier this month, Russia agreed to India's demand to ensure early release and return of Indian nationals working in the Russian military as support staff after Modi raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Russia had promised early discharge of all Indian nationals from the army.
Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs said the issue of Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army remained a matter of "utmost concern" and demanded action from Moscow.
The Russia-Ukraine conflict in eastern Europe has been raging since February 2022.
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Power struggle in ruling Cong has 'created massive confusion' in Karnataka: BJP leader Ashoka
Bengaluru (PTI): BJP leader R Ashoka on Friday claimed that the ongoing power struggle between Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar has created massive confusion in Karnataka.
He remarked that the proverb “when two people fight, the third one benefits” has come true, as AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge is also now making efforts to become Chief Minister.
Speaking to reporters here, Ashoka said the entire government has turned into a house of confusion due to the alleged power tussle.
Kharge’s new statement has only added to the chaos, he said.
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge had on Friday said that no date has been fixed yet to discuss possible leadership change in Karnataka.
This came a day after Kharge said there was no change of CM in Karnataka "for now" and that the leadership issue in the state would be resolved soon.
The BJP leader said that Kharge too has aspirations and that he was cheated earlier.
"Perhaps he has received a green signal from the Congress high command to become CM. Everyone is already saying Kharge should become CM. Kharge himself has declared, “I am ready to become CM.” Despite many attempts in the past, he never became CM. Now he is trying to seize the opportunity," the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly said.
According to him, the situation in Congress has perfectly become a case of “two people fighting, third one benefits.”
