227 Indians Recruited into Russian Army, 51 Reportedly Killed, India Says

Bishkek (Terror Monitor) — India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has said that 51 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces have reportedly been killed while serving in Russia’s military.

Misri made the remarks during a media interaction in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, while responding to questions about Indian citizens who have joined the Russian armed forces.

According to Indian news agency Asian News International (ANI), Misri said the recruitment of Indian nationals into Russia’s military has been discussed repeatedly between India and Russia at various levels.

He said the Indian Embassy in Moscow is closely monitoring the situation and the process of facilitating the return of Indian citizens who have been recruited into the Russian armed forces.

“Based on the information available to us, there are reports of 227 Indian nationals having been recruited into the Russian armed forces,” Misri said.

He added that 139 of those individuals had already been discharged from military service.

“Unfortunately, we have also received reports of the deaths of 51 Indian nationals so far,” the foreign secretary said.

The figures provide an indication of the number of Indian nationals who have become involved with the Russian military amid the ongoing war involving Russia and Ukraine.

The Indian government has previously raised concerns over the recruitment of its citizens into the Russian armed forces and has sought their release and return to India.

Misri’s comments suggest that efforts to secure the discharge and repatriation of Indian nationals remain an ongoing matter between New Delhi and Moscow.

The foreign secretary did not provide further details about the circumstances or locations in which the 51 Indian nationals were killed. He also did not specify when the reported deaths occurred.

The Indian government has been working through diplomatic channels with Russian authorities to identify Indian nationals serving with the Russian military, secure their release from service where possible, and facilitate their return to India.

The issue has gained attention in India as families of citizens recruited into the Russian military have sought government assistance in bringing them home.

The latest figures cited by Misri indicate that, out of the 227 Indian nationals reportedly recruited into the Russian armed forces, 139 have been discharged, while 51 have reportedly died. The status of the remaining individuals was not specified in his remarks.