In a statement to the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the Indian government confirmed that 26 Indian nationals working in the Russian armed forces have died. The government also reported that 7 Indian nationals are missing. These recruitments occurred since 2022, and the government is actively working to secure the discharge of 50 more Indian citizens currently serving in the Russian military.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the issue in response to questions raised by Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale and Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala, who sought information on the repatriation of Indian citizens allegedly forced or illegally recruited into the Russian armed forces for the conflict in Ukraine.

The Indian government has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to address this situation. So far, these efforts have resulted in the discharge of 119 Indian nationals from the Russian military. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is maintaining constant communication with Russian authorities to ensure the safety, well-being, and early return of the remaining Indian citizens in service.

The government provided details regarding the handling of casualties. Of the 26 confirmed deaths, the mortal remains of 10 Indian nationals have been successfully repatriated to India. In two other cases, the deceased were cremated in Russia with the assistance of the Indian Mission, based on the consent of their families. To aid in identifying the deceased, DNA samples from the families of 18 Indians reported as either dead or missing have been shared with Russian authorities.

The Indian Embassy in Russia has been providing assistance to discharged nationals by helping them with travel documents, air tickets, and logistical support for their return. The embassy has also been working closely with families in India during the evacuation process and the repatriation of remains, ensuring that decisions regarding cremation or transportation are made with the families' consent.

The issue has been raised at multiple diplomatic levels, including discussions between leaders, ministers, and senior officials from both countries. The government has assured Parliament that these efforts will continue until all remaining Indian citizens are discharged and safely returned home.

Reports suggest that some Indian citizens were lured into joining the Russian military through social media advertisements promising jobs as "army helpers" with salaries around $1,200 a month. Some were allegedly promised non-combatant roles but were later trained to use weapons and sent to Ukraine. The MEA has confirmed that some Indian citizens have signed up for "support jobs" with the Russian army.