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Over 200 Indians have been drafted into the Russian armed forces since the start of the war in Ukraine, the government told the Parliament. The Centre said while it was successful in getting some back, 50 Indians still remained trapped. This even as 26 were killed and seven missing amid the war that seems to have no end.
Indian missions in Russia are assisting Indians drafted into the Russian forces in returning home, according to India's MEA. (Image for representation: AP)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 22, 2025 09:04 IST
The Centre has said that 202 Indians are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces amid the Ukraine-Russia war, the deadliest and longest since the Second World War. The Ministry of External Affairs added that 26 of the 202 Indians were reported to have died, while "seven were reported missing by the Russian side".
Responding to the questions of MPs Saket Gokhale and Randeep Singh Surjewala, minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, said that "concerted efforts by the government have resulted in the early discharge of 119 of them, and efforts are ongoing for the early discharge of 50 individuals".
Junior minister Kirti Vardhan Singh's answer came on December 17, a day after the bodies of two Indians killed in the Russia-Ukraine war zone arrived at the Delhi airport.
The central government had in September repeated its warning to Indians to stay away from the Russia-Ukraine conflict amid fresh reports of men from India being lured into joining the Russian military and sent to the front lines.
The Centre in January said that at least 12 Indians were killed in the Russia-Ukraine war while 16 others were missing. In August 2024, it said eight Indians working in the Russian armed forces were killed during the Ukraine war.
The current war in Ukraine started in February 2022 after Russia invaded parts of its neighbour over its trying to join the US-European military bloc Nato.
The MEA said it assisted in the repatriation of the mortal remains of 10 deceased Indian nationals and facilitated the local cremation of two others. DNA samples from family members of 18 Indians reported dead or missing have been shared with Russian authorities to help establish the identities of the deceased.
The MEA said it has assisted discharged Indians in returning home by facilitating travel documents and air tickets where required, and has also helped evacuate mortal remains by coordinating DNA-based identification with next of kin and completing documentation for local cremation or transportation to India in close coordination with families once identities are conclusively established.
RECRUITMENT OF INDIANS IN RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR, GOVERNMENT SAYS DIPLOMATIC EFFORTS UNDERWAY
The disturbing trend of South Asian young men being recruited into either side of the Russia-Ukraine war started in early 2023. It was through deceptive promises of high pay and benefits, that they lured the young men, including those from India. Many travelled to Russia on student or tourist visas, only to be coerced into joining the Russian army, where salaries are reportedly often withheld and escape from frontline deployment is nearly impossible. Russian President Vladimir Putin had early on backed a plan to allow foreign volunteers to join Russia in its war against Ukraine.
In some cases, the Russian authorities were giving Indians involved in any crime the option to either serve a jail term or fight on the frontlines.
In October, reports emerged of Majoti Sahil Mohamed Hussein, a man from Gujarat, who surrendered to Ukrainian forces after just three days on the frontlines. The Ukrainian military said Hussein, who went to Russia on a study visa, was arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to seven years in prison. Because he didn't want to serve the prison term, he signed a contract to become a part of the "special military operation".
On the Ukrainian side, unofficial media estimates suggest around 100 Indians joined the Legion, with at least two killed, though no official figures are available. The Legion for the Defence of Ukraine, was formed in February 2022 after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for foreign support. It is a multinational unit of volunteers from over 50 countries.
The trend stems from the manpower shortages in Russia and Ukraine, unemployed youths from states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, and shady agents targeting the youth "helping to flee".
Recent casualties include 22-year-old Ajay Godara from Rajasthan, who arrived on a student visa in November 2024, was forcibly recruited, and died in a September 2025 drone attack in Donetsk's Selydove.
In January, a Kerala man employed by the Russian Military's support service died.
Similarly, 30-year-old Rakesh Kumar Maurya from Uttarakhand, who enroled in university in August 2025, was killed in Donbas by late August.
Families are demanding justice amid India's diplomatic efforts for repatriation.
The Centre has said that it was rushing to ensure the safety and speedy repatriation of Indian nationals from the Russian armed forces. It is coordinating closely with the Indian missions in Russia to evacuate mortal remains. DNA-based identification is also being conducted and transportation to India of the ones identified, is being done. The ministry said it maintained continuous engagement with Russian authorities at multiple levels to secure the well-being and early discharge of Indian citizens.
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Published By:
Sushim Mukul
Published On:
Dec 22, 2025
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