Twelve Indian nationals, among a total of 126, who were misled into settling in Russia have died fighting for the Russian Army in Ukraine, and sixteen others are currently “missing”, the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed today.
We have been in constant touch with Russian authorities for the release and repatriation of all Indian nationals currently trapped in Russia and fighting in the war, the foreign ministry added.
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“As of today, of all the known cases that have come to us of Indian nationals serving in the Russian army – we have a total of 126 such cases – 96 people have already returned to India. They have been discharged from the Russian armed forces. 18 Indian nationals still remain in combat. Of these 18, the whereabouts of 16 individuals are not known. The Russian authorities have categorised them as ‘missing persons’. So far, 12 Indian nationals have died in combat,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.
Earlier this week, the foreign ministry had said that it has strongly taken up the issue with the Russian government. They said this on January 14 – a day after reports emerged of an Indian national from Kerala having died fighting on the Russian frontlines.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had raised the issue of the early discharge of Indians trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war during his talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July last year. He reiterated it when the two leaders met again during the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October.
