The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that 12 Indian nationals serving with the Russian Armed Forces have been killed, while 16 others remain missing. This death toll is higher than the number of deaths admitted so far.
The external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during the media briefing that Indian authorities found a total of 126 Indians serving with the Russian military and 96 of them had been discharged so far by Russian officials. The officials also confirmed nine deaths last year.
Previously, the external affairs ministry stated on Tuesday that one of the residents of Kerala was recently killed while serving with the Russian Army. However, no reports of Indians who went missing have been found so far.
“Twelve Indian nationals have died in the conflict, who were serving in the Russian Army,” Jaiswal said on Friday. “Out of the 126 known cases of Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces, 96 individuals have already returned. They have been discharged from the Russian armed forces,” he added.
MEA Expresses Condolences Over Indian Deaths In Russia-Ukraine War
Jaiswal revealed that of the 18 remaining Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces, the whereabouts of 16 are currently unknown, and the Russian authorities have classified them as missing. Efforts are ongoing to coordinate with the Russian side to determine their status and ensure the early release and repatriation of those still accounted for.
He further mentioned that Indian authorities are in communication with the families of all 16 missing individuals but refrained from sharing additional information about them.
Jaiswal expressed condolences over the recent death of Binil Babu, a 32-year-old from Kerala, calling it unfortunate. He confirmed that the Indian embassy in Moscow is liaising with Russian officials to facilitate the repatriation of Babu’s body. Meanwhile, another Kerala resident who sustained injuries is currently receiving medical treatment at a Moscow hospital. “The embassy is in touch with him and Russian authorities for his well-being, and we are hopeful he will return after his treatment,” he said.
India has reiterated its demand for Russia to release all Indian nationals serving in its military, after the death of Binil Babu on the frontlines of the Ukraine conflict.
Indian authorities have consistently urged the release of Indians employed as support staff, including cooks and helpers, in Russian military units. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised this issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin during two meetings last year.
Despite assurances from the Russian embassy in New Delhi that recruitment of Indians into the armed forces was halted in April 2024 and efforts were underway to facilitate the discharge of those who "voluntarily contracted for military service," fatalities have continued. Some releases were delayed due to the Russian defence ministry’s failure to annul their military contracts.