New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs said on February 29 that around 20 Indians are “stuck” with the Russian army and efforts were underway to facilitate their dischargeIndia, for the first time on Thursday, provided a figure indicating the number of Indians potentially employed by the Russian army.As per previous media reports, 100 Indians may have been recruited as security helpers by the Russian army. These helpers were coerced into combat areas on the Ukraine war frontline, despite assurances that they would not be deployed in active conflict zones.Thereafter, reports also emerged of a death of a Gujarati working alongside the Russian army.Speaking to reporters at the weekly media briefing, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that “we have an understanding that 20-odd people are stuck”.“We are trying our level best for their early discharge,” he said. “We’ve also told people not to venture into the war zone or get caught into situations which are difficult. We are in regular touch with Russian authorities both here in New Delhi and also in Moscow”.Jaiswal reminded that MEA has already issued two statements. In the last statement, MEA had claimed the media reports were “inaccurate” and that “several Indians have already been discharged”.