Eight Indian nationals have been killed while serving with the Russian Army, doubling the number previously acknowledged by the External Affairs ministry, the Indian Government informed Parliament on Thursday.
In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the exact number of Indian nationals recruited into Russia’s armed forces is unknown, though 63 Indians have sought early discharge.
Until now, the External Affairs ministry had confirmed the deaths of only four Indian nationals while serving with the Russian military on the frontlines of the conflict with Ukraine. Most Indians were recruited as support staff, such as cooks and helpers, accompanying their units to the warfront.
“Eight deaths have been reported where the citizenship of the deceased has been verified as Indian,” Singh said, responding to a query from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sandeep Kumar Pathak.
“Information available currently indicates that 12 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces, while another 63 individuals are seeking early discharge,” Singh added.
The government has received requests for facilitating the early discharge of “some Indian nationals purportedly recruited into the Russian armed forces in unclear circumstances.” Singh noted that the exact number of such Indian nationals remains unknown.
The issue of Indian nationals in the Russian military gained prominence following the deaths of several nationals earlier this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the matter during his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual bilateral summit in Moscow last month. Reportedly, the Indian side secured a promise that all such individuals would be speedily repatriated.
In June, India demanded a “verified stop” to the recruitment of Indian nationals in the Russian Army.
Singh said the government has provided financial support for transporting the bodies of four Indian nationals back to the country and will extend the same assistance for other cases when required. The Russian government has informed the Indian side that compensation will be paid to the families of the deceased Indians “in accordance with the contracts signed by them,” Singh stated.
The government has taken up the issue of the early discharge, safety, and well-being of Indian nationals in Russia’s armed forces with relevant authorities at various levels. During his recent visit to Russia, Modi “strongly reiterated the urgent need for early release of all Indian nationals” from Russia’s armed forces. The external affairs ministry has urged all Indians to “exercise due caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia” and to “stay away from this conflict.”
