Kremlin/New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Russian government announced on Tuesday that it is actively compiling a comprehensive roster of Indian citizens currently serving in the Russian military to facilitate their immediate discharge and repatriation. Addressing Indian journalists during a virtual briefing from Moscow, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russian authorities are in constant and deep contact with New Delhi on the matter, affirming that all identified personnel will be sent home as soon as their presence on the front lines is formally established.
Reacting to the Kremlin’s commitment, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that approximately two dozen Indian nationals remain embedded with Russian armed forces. Jaiswal reiterated that New Delhi has consistently taken up the issue at senior diplomatic levels and expects the immediate release and safe return of the remaining recruits. The assurances follow recent disclosures by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who revealed that at least 51 Indian nationals have perished on the frontlines during the conflict in Ukraine. Official tracking figures indicate that out of 227 Indian citizens recruited into Russian military ranks, 139 have been discharged thus far, leaving the status of several personnel unresolved.
The recruitment drive has drawn severe scrutiny following reports of human trafficking syndicates and duplicitous employment agents who lured jobseekers and students to Russia under the pretext of civilian roles, subsequently forcing them into frontline military combat. Despite initial repatriation assurances extended by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during their bilateral summit in Moscow in July 2024, new recruitment cases have periodically surfaced. The ongoing crisis and expedited discharges are slated to form a key priority on the diplomatic agenda when the two leaders convene for bilateral talks in New Delhi on Friday, September 11, ahead of the BRICS Summit.
