51 Dead, 139 Discharged: Centre Reveals Staggering Toll of Indians Recruited into the Russian Army
3 min read
In a sobering disclosure that highlights the grave human cost of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the Indian government confirmed on Monday that 51 Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces have been killed on the frontlines.
Providing the most detailed official accounting to date, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri revealed that a total of 227 Indian citizens were lured into the Russian military. Of those, 139 have been successfully discharged, while 51 have tragically perished.
The startling figures were shared during a special Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit.
The Crisis: How Did Indians End Up on the Frontlines?
Over the course of the four-year Russia-Ukraine conflict, reports emerged of a shadowy, transnational human trafficking network. Unscrupulous recruitment agencies and agents operating across India lured unsuspecting young men to Russia with promises of lucrative civilian jobs-often advertising roles as “support staff,” cooks, or security helpers.
However, upon arriving in Russia, these men had their passports confiscated and were coerced or forcefully conscripted into active combat roles within the Russian military, placing them directly on the deadly frontlines of the Ukraine war.
Diplomatic Push for Repatriation
The recruitment of Indian nationals has become a major diplomatic friction point between New Delhi and Moscow.
“At last count, we had information about 227 Indian nationals who had been recruited into the Russian army,” Foreign Secretary Misri told reporters. “Out of that, we have information that 139 of our nationals have been discharged… And unfortunately, of course, we have information also about 51 people who have perished so far.”
Misri emphasized that the Indian Embassy in Moscow is actively monitoring the situation on a daily basis. “This is an issue that we are in constant discussions with the Russian side at various levels. We are seeking to ensure that any cases that remain are discharged at the earliest so that we can return these people to their families,” he added.
Recent estimates from the MEA suggest that around two dozen Indians still remain trapped in active Russian military service. The Indian government has continuously issued stern warnings to its citizens, urging them to verify job offers rigorously and to avoid falling prey to fraudulent recruitment schemes linked to the conflict zone.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court of India recently directed the Centre to appoint a dedicated nodal officer within the MEA to coordinate directly with the devastated families of those who have died, gone missing, or suffered severe injuries in the war.
PM Modi Meets Putin Amidst the Crisis
The grim casualty figures were released just hours after Prime Minister Modi held bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Bishkek.
During the high-level meeting, PM Modi delivered a pointed message regarding the ongoing conflict, asserting to Putin that the global community must transition from an era of “endless wars” to achieving the “end of war.”
Despite the friction over the conscripted Indians, the two leaders also discussed deepening their economic ties. Misri noted that to boost bilateral trade and reduce dependency on traditional Western markets, an “Indian Exporters Forum” will be organized alongside the next annual India-Russia summit. According to Misri, President Putin specifically welcomed the initiative, offering to host the forum in Russia to allow Indian businesses to diversify their export baskets directly into the Russian market.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the families of the remaining trapped Indians wait anxiously, hoping New Delhi can secure their safe return before more lives are lost to a war that is not theirs to fight.
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