The Indian government has confirmed that the majority of Indian nationals who were serving in the Russian armed forces have been discharged, with only 19 currently remaining on active duty. This information was provided by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The query sought details on the number of Indian nationals recruited into the Russian Army who were yet to be repatriated, and the reasons for any delays in their release and repatriation despite assurances from Russian authorities.
Concerns were also raised about whether these individuals were deployed on the war front, the Indian mission's ability to maintain contact with them, and the measures being taken to facilitate their early release and return.
"Through the concerted efforts of the government, most of the Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces have been discharged and several have been repatriated to India," Singh stated in his reply. He added that based on available information, "only 19 Indian nationals currently remain in the Russian armed forces."
The government has requested updates from the relevant Russian authorities on the status of the remaining Indian nationals and urged them to ensure their safety, well-being, and prompt discharge.
This development follows earlier statements made by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar during the Monsoon session, where he informed the Lok Sabha that 69 Indians were still fighting alongside the Russian Army in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He conveyed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of their release. It was reported that PM Modi "very strongly" raised this issue with President Putin during his visit to Moscow in July.
This issue gained prominence earlier this year when the CBI in Delhi registered a case of human trafficking after several Indian nationals were allegedly lured into working with the Russian Army under false pretenses. The government's efforts to secure their release and repatriation highlight its commitment to the welfare of Indian citizens abroad, even in complex geopolitical situations.
