NEW DELHI – The Indian government has confirmed that at least 50 Indian nationals remain trapped in the Russian armed forces, despite intensive diplomatic efforts to secure their release. In a recent update to Parliament, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) revealed that the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has claimed the lives of 26 Indians, while seven others remain missing.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!1. The Human Cost: Statistics at a Glance
According to Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, the recruitment of South Asian men has become a “disturbing trend” driven by deception and manpower shortages.
| Category | Count |
| Total Recruited | 202 |
| Successfully Discharged | 119 |
| Still Trapped | 50 |
| Confirmed Deaths | 26 |
| Reported Missing | 7 |
2. Deceptive Recruitment Tactics
The MEA highlighted a pattern of exploitation where young men, primarily from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, are lured into the conflict zone.
- The Visa Trap: Many victims traveled on student or tourist visas, only to be coerced into signing military contracts they could not read.
- Coerced Service: In some instances, Indians facing minor criminal charges in Russia were forced to choose between long prison sentences or frontline deployment.
- Recent Tragedy: The report cited the cases of Ajay Godara (22) and Rakesh Kumar Maurya (30), both of whom arrived in Russia on student visas in late 2024/2025 and were killed in drone attacks within months.
3. Repatriation and Identification Efforts
The Indian government is actively coordinating with Russian authorities to bring its citizens home—both living and deceased.
- Repatriation: The MEA has facilitated travel documents and airfare for 119 discharged individuals.
- DNA Testing: To identify those reported missing or killed, DNA samples from 18 families in India have been shared with Russian forensic teams.
- Mortal Remains: The government has successfully brought back the remains of 10 citizens and coordinated the local cremation of two others.
4. Conflict on Both Sides
While the majority of reported cases involve the Russian Army, the report acknowledges the presence of Indians on the Ukrainian side as well.
- International Legion: Approximately 100 Indians are estimated to have joined Ukraine’s volunteer unit, with at least two casualties reported.
- Government Warning: The Centre has issued a stern warning to all citizens to stay away from the conflict zone and avoid “shady agents” promising high-paying jobs in the region.
Summary of Government Action
The Ministry of External Affairs maintains that it is in continuous, high-level engagement with the Russian government. The primary objective remains the “safety and speedy repatriation” of the remaining 50 individuals and ensuring that no further Indian nationals are drafted into the war.
