India has been secretly selling Russia a wide range of militarily useful sanctioned electronics and other sensitive items, according to leaked Russian government correspondence analyzed by the Financial Times on September 4. These transfers from India play a significant role in enabling Russia to continue its war on Ukraine.

According to the documents, Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade saw India as a nation that could provide it with goods “previously supplied from unfriendly countries.” So Russian officials mapped out plans for India to buy parts with military applications in Western markets—components for servers, telecommunication equipment and other complex electronics. The Russians would then buy this equipment from India through back channels, using “significant reserves” of Indian rupees that Russian financial institutions stockpiled as a result of mushrooming oil sales to India. The Indians and Russians would aim to hide these sales from Americans and Europeans, since the United States and Europe have banned transferring electronics with military applications to Russia.

It is unclear how much of the plan was implemented, but the value of the equipment comes out to nearly $1 billion. That figure represents quantities significant enough to make a difference on the battlefields.

The documents also reveal that Russia mulled investing in production facilities that would manufacture Russo-Indian electronics.

The story is scandalous in part because it comes during a time when India has tried to portray itself as a closer partner to the U.S. and a supporter of international law. The leaked correspondence shows that all the while, India was secretly evading Western sanctions and enabling Russia’s war. This makes clear that India is a close friend to Russia and a part of why Russia is bringing so much destruction and tension into the world.

Russia and India have been partners since the Soviet era. But with India supporting Moscow in crucial ways while the West seeks to economically isolate Russia as punishment for its war on Ukraine, that partnership is hitting unprecedented levels of importance. This deepening partnership has caught some analysts off guard, but it should come as no surprise to students of Bible prophecy.

The book of Revelation discusses an Asian military force called the “kings of the east” that will be made up of 200 million troops (Revelation 9:16; Revelation 16:12). The scriptures show that this will be a multinational Asian force, and will be one of the major belligerents in World War iii.

Among the most detailed Bible passages about this future juggernaut is Ezekiel 38. Verses 1 and 2 show that this massive force will be led by Russia, with China in a position of junior leadership. Verse 5 says this future force will also include “Ethiopia and Libya.” In this verse, these two names would more accurately be translated “Cush and Phut,” as translations such as Young’s Literal Translation correctly render them. Historical records show that while some branches of the peoples of Cush and Phut migrated to Africa, the rest settled in India.

The context of this passage shows that it refers not to African peoples, but mainly to modern-day Indians. So it is clear that India will be part of this end-time 200 million-man army. Since India’s population is so vast—even larger now than that of China—it is easy to see how it will play a major role in bringing this end-time force up to that unprecedented number of troops.

As we see India today drawing closer to Russia and defying the West to enable Russia’s war, that is laying the foundation for India to take its part in this Russian-led Asian bloc.

To understand more about India and the end-time Asian military alliance that is already in the early stages of forming, order your free copy of our booklet Russia and China in Prophecy.