NEW DELHI: At least 51 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces have died during the Russia-Ukraine war, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has confirmed.
Speaking during a media briefing in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Misri said India had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army. Of these, 139 have been discharged, while 51 have died.
Misri said the issue of Indian citizens being recruited into Russian military structures has been raised with Moscow at various levels and on multiple occasions. India remains in continuous discussions with the Russian side to secure the release and repatriation of those who remain there.
He said the Indian Embassy in Moscow is regularly monitoring the situation and working with Russian authorities to ensure that remaining Indian nationals are discharged as soon as possible and returned to their families.
The latest figures come as India continues diplomatic efforts over Indian citizens who were recruited into Russian military service during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Earlier reports had indicated that some Indians were recruited through employment offers that ultimately resulted in their involvement with Russian military structures.
The Indian government has also warned its citizens against accepting suspicious or risky job offers connected to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to the figures provided by the foreign secretary, 139 of the 227 identified Indian nationals have already been discharged. That leaves cases involving nationals whose status is still being addressed by the Indian and Russian authorities.
The disclosure comes amid continued diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Moscow over the issue. India is pressing Russia for the release and safe return of remaining Indian nationals while its embassy in Moscow continues to monitor individual cases.
The latest announcement highlights the human cost faced by Indian citizens who became involved with Russian military forces during the Russia-Ukraine war and underscores the Indian government’s ongoing efforts to bring the remaining nationals home.
Important Editorial Clarification
The headline should not say that “51 Indian soldiers were killed” or that “51 Indian Army personnel died.” The confirmed information concerns Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. They were not members of India’s military.
