51 Indians Deceased while Serving in Russian Military, Indian MEA Reports

India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reported that 51 of the 227 Indian nationals who were recruited into the Russian army have lost their lives while serving. Additionally, 139 others have been discharged from military service. These updates were confirmed by India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a press briefing held in Kyrgyzstan, where he attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Misri stated, 'This situation remains a matter of active discussions with the Russian authorities.'

The recruitment of Indians into the Russian military has been a recurring issue, leading to discussions at various diplomatic levels. Misri mentioned that the Indian embassy in Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and is engaged in negotiations to facilitate the return of Indian citizens still enlisted. 'We are in continuous contact with the Russian side to ensure the safe repatriation of these individuals to their families,' he added.

The Indian government has previously warned its citizens against accepting potentially dangerous job offers from dubious sources. As of early August, it was reported that around two dozen Indians were still enlisted with the Russian army, prompting efforts for their release.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court of India has mandated the appointment of a nodal officer within the MEA to coordinate with families affected by the conflict, particularly those who have either died, gone missing, or suffered injuries while serving in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In reference to the broader conflict in Ukraine, Prime Minister Modi has emphasised the need to shift from 'endless wars to the end of war,' during his discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit. Misri confirmed that the Indian government continues to pursue the safe release of those still serving in the Russian military, which include support staff such as cooks and helpers.

As the situation evolves, India remains vigilant in ensuring the welfare of its citizens abroad. With ongoing diplomatic initiatives, New Delhi aims to secure the safe return of all Indian nationals involved in this overseas military engagement.