New Delhi: India has said that 51 of the 227 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces have died during the ongoing war in Ukraine, while 139 have been discharged and are now in the process of returning home.
The figures were shared by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kyrgyzstan. India is continuing discussions with Russia to secure the release of the remaining Indian nationals still serving in the Russian military.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow is closely monitoring the cases and working with Russian authorities to facilitate the discharge and repatriation of those who remain in service. New Delhi has repeatedly raised the issue with Moscow at various levels, seeking the early return of Indian citizens to their families.
According to the latest information available to the Indian government, 227 Indian nationals were recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of these, 139 have now been discharged, while 51 have lost their lives. The status and release of the remaining individuals remain under discussion.
The issue continues to be a priority in India’s engagement with Russia as New Delhi seeks a resolution to the cases involving its citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. Their discussions covered bilateral relations as well as developments surrounding the Ukraine conflict.
India has consistently maintained that dialogue and diplomacy are essential to resolving the war and has called for efforts aimed at bringing the conflict to an end. The government is also continuing diplomatic efforts to ensure that Indian nationals involved with the Russian armed forces are released and safely reunited with their families.
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