The Centre assured that efforts will continue until all remaining Indians are released and brought back home safely, and that the government remains fully committed to supporting affected citizens and their families.
The Centre has told the Parliament that 202 Indians have joined the Russian armed forces since 2022. Out of them, 26 have died and seven are still missing. This information was shared in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday on questions raised by Saket Gokhale and Randeep Singh Surjewala. They asked about Indians who were allegedly forced or illegally recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war and the steps being taken to bring them back home.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said India’s diplomatic efforts have helped secure the early release of 119 Indian nationals from the Russian Army. However, 50 Indians are still waiting to be discharged, he added.
He said the Ministry of External Affairs is in regular contact with Russian authorities to ensure the safety and well-being of the remaining Indians and to push for their early return.
The government also confirmed that 26 Indians have lost their lives in the war, based on information provided by Russia. Of these, the bodies of 10 Indians have been brought back to India, while two were cremated in Russia with help from the Indian mission.
The Centre said it continues to closely monitor the situation and is working to assist all affected Indian nationals and their families.
“DNA samples of family members of 18 Indians, who were reported dead or missing, have been shared with the Russian authorities in an effort to help establish the identity of some of the deceased Indian nationals,” he added.
The Indian Embassy in Russia has been actively helping Indians who were released from the Russian Army. The embassy has assisted them with travel papers, flight tickets and other arrangements needed to return home safely.
The embassy has also stayed in close contact with families in India, especially in cases where Indian nationals lost their lives. It helped families make informed decisions about whether the bodies should be brought back to India or cremated in Russia, based entirely on the family’s consent.
The government told Parliament of India that the matter has been raised at many diplomatic levels. This includes talks between top leaders, ministers and senior officials from both India and Russia.
The Centre assured that efforts will continue until all remaining Indians are released and brought back home safely, and that the government remains fully committed to supporting affected citizens and their families.
(With IANS inputs)
