Eight Indian nationals recruited to Russian army die in war in Ukraine

Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, citing the Hindustan Times.

The government-reported figure is twice as high as what the country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs officially states, which acknowledges only four Indian citizens killed while serving in Russian forces on the front line in Ukraine. Most of the Indians were recruited as auxiliary personnel, such as cooks and assistants, who accompanied their units to the front.

Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha parliament, stated that the exact number of Indian citizens recruited into the Russian armed forces is unknown, although 63 Indians have requested early release.

“Eight deaths have been reported where the citizenship of the deceased has been verified as Indian. Information available currently indicates that 12 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces while another 63 individuals are seeking early discharge,” Singh said.

The government received requests to facilitate the early release of "some Indian citizens allegedly involved in the Russian armed forces under unclear circumstances." 

According to Singh, the government had provided financial support for the transportation of the bodies of the four Indian citizens to the country, and it would do the same in other cases when needed. In addition, the Russian government informed the Indian side that the families of the dead Indians will be compensated in "accordance with the contracts signed by them".

Singh said that Modi, during his recent visit to Russia, "strongly reiterated the urgent need for early release of all Indian nationals" from the Russian armed forces. The Ministry of External Affairs called on all Indians to "exercise due caution while seeking employment opportunities in Russia and stay away from this conflict (war in Ukraine - ed.)."

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Russia, made a direct call for an end to the war in Ukraine. In addition, during his meeting with Putin, he discussed the return home of Indians who are participating in Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.