India has provided a fresh update on Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri saying 227 Indian citizens had been recruited into the Russian army. Of these, 139 Indian nationals have been discharged, while 51 have unfortunately been reported to have lost their lives.
In response to an ANI inquiry on the matter of Indian nationals in Russian military recruitment, Misri said that India and Russia have discussed the matter of Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian armed forces at different levels and on several occasions. New Delhi is keeping in touch with Moscow and is doing everything to bring back the Indians who are still employed as soldiers in the Russian military.
“The issue of our nationals and citizens being recruited into the Russian armed forces has been discussed between India and Russia at different levels on multiple occasions,” Misri said.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow is constantly monitoring and engaged in the discharge and repatriation of Indian citizens, the Foreign Secretary said. He also added that India is in touch with the Russian side to make sure that any remaining cases are resolved at the earliest.
Misri said the aim is to get these people back to their families in India. He said that the issue is still a matter of constant diplomatic talk between Delhi and Moscow.
The figures made public by the Foreign Secretary are a significant update on the number of Indian nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces. With 139 of them discharged, India is pursuing the remaining cases through diplomatic channels. But the deaths of 51 Indian citizens have added a serious human dimension to the issue.
India’s recruitment of Indian nationals into the Russian military is a sensitive matter for New Delhi, considering the Russia-Ukraine war. India has repeatedly asked the Russians for the early release of Indians who joined the Russian armed forces and has said their return should be done through official channels.
#WATCH | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: Responding to ANI's question on Indians serving in the Russian army, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "The issue of our nationals and citizens being recruited into the Russian armed forces has been discussed between India and Russia at various… pic.twitter.com/W4VQf9Ajyc
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2026
The issue also underscores the challenges faced by Indian citizens who are seeking employment overseas with the hope of becoming involved in war in the future. Indian authorities have warned citizens not to take a chance on employment opportunities in foreign countries (e.g., conflict-affected areas and non-specific terms of service).
Misri’s remarks were made during India’s diplomatic visits to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. India and Russia have long-standing strategic ties in defence, energy, trade, and other areas, and so the issue of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military has implications for the bilateral interactions.
But despite the broader strategic relationship between the two countries, New Delhi has continued to raise the issue with Moscow and seek to discharge Indian citizens. Misri said that these discussions are ongoing and the Indian government will take the rest of the nationals back home.
The latest figures—227 Indian nationals recruited, 139 discharged and 51 reported dead—underscore the scale and seriousness of the issue. India will continue diplomatic dialogue with Russia for as long as the cases are resolved and the rest of the Indian citizens are released and brought back to their families.
