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12 Indians dead, 16 missing in Russia-Ukraine war, confirms Ministry of External Affairs

  • 12 Indian nationals have died while serving in the Russian armed forces amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict
  • 16 Indian nationals are missing in action, with Russian authorities categorizing them as "missing in action"
  • Indian government investigates fraudulent recruitment practices while working for the repatriation of remaining personnel from Russia

17 Jan 2025

12 Indians dead, 16 missing in Russia-Ukraine war, confirms Ministry of External Affairs

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on Friday that 12 Indian nationals have died while serving with the Russian armed forces in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In addition, 16 others are reported missing, with Russian authorities categorizing them as “missing in action.” The revelation comes amid ongoing efforts by the Indian government to monitor and address the safety and well-being of its citizens involved in foreign military service.

The MEA detailed that a total of 126 Indian nationals had served in the Russian military. Of these, 96 have been discharged and returned to India, leaving 30 still active. Out of the remaining 30, 18 have been accounted for, but the whereabouts of 16 individuals remain unknown, and the Russian authorities have officially classified them as missing. The Indian government is actively engaging with Russian officials to track the missing individuals and ensure their early release and repatriation.

Among the confirmed casualties is Binil Babu, a 32-year-old resident of Kerala, who was killed while serving in the conflict zone. The Indian government has confirmed that its embassy in Moscow is in touch with Russian authorities to bring his mortal remains back to India. Another Indian national, Jain TK, was injured in the conflict and is receiving treatment in Moscow. The embassy is monitoring his recovery and expects his return to India after treatment.

The Indian government has been vocal about its concern regarding the recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian military. The MEA has maintained that many of these individuals were misled or duped into enlisting through unscrupulous recruitment agents. In response to these concerns, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated an investigation into the recruitment process, leading to the registration of a case against 19 individuals and entities suspected of recruiting Indians for military service in Russia. Several arrests have been made in connection with this case, further shedding light on the illegal recruitment networks.

In response to these issues, the Russian embassy in New Delhi announced in April 2024 that recruitment of Indian nationals for military service in Russia was halted. The Russian Ministry of Defence stated that any remaining Indians under contract were being discharged. However, despite the cessation of recruitment, the deaths, injuries, and ongoing presence of Indian nationals in the Russian military indicate the continuing risks for those still enlisted.

The Indian government continues to seek the repatriation of all Indian nationals who remain with the Russian military, particularly those serving in non-combat roles such as cooks, support staff, and other auxiliary positions. The situation remains a matter of concern for India, which has repeatedly raised the issue with Russian authorities at the highest levels, including during meetings between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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12 Indians dead, 16 missing in Russia-Ukraine war
12 Indian nationals have died while serving in the Russian armed forces amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict





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