India says more than 200 nationals recruited to fight in Ukraine war, seeks release and repatriation

New Delhi on Thursday confirmed that 202 Indian nationals were recruited to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine, and that the government has secured the early discharge of 119 of them. The Indian Foreign Ministry said the figure reflects recruitment carried out through Moscow's efforts, with the ministry adding that 26 individuals are believed to have been killed and 7 reported missing by Russian authorities. The ministry described the information as part of its ongoing efforts to assist Indian citizens in conflict areas and to monitor their status abroad.

The statement detailed continuing government efforts to obtain the discharge of about 50 more Indian nationals and to recover the remains of 10 who were killed in battle. It emphasized that New Delhi remains continuously engaged with Moscow to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of all Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces. The government said the matter is discussed at various levels, including during interactions between leaders, ministers, and officials of the two countries.

DNA samples from 18 Indians reported dead or missing have been shared with Russian authorities, the foreign ministry said. The ministry did not specify when New Delhi learned of the recruitment or the tactics Moscow used to recruit Indian nationals, noting only that the government is actively pursuing information and outcomes for those affected. The emphasis, it said, is on safeguarding the welfare of Indian citizens abroad and ensuring due process in any discharge or repatriation process.

Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and since then, Moscow has sought manpower from dozens of countries to support its military actions. AP reported that the Russian side has listed more than 1 million casualties in the broader conflict, with Russia Matters, a project affiliated with the Harvard Kennedy Center, noting that Moscow has suffered over 790,000 dead or wounded and roughly 85,000 missing. The project also cited estimates that Putin has so far controlled about 12% of Ukrainian territory. These figures underscore the scale of the conflict that has drawn international attention and involved citizens from numerous nations, including India, in complex and dangerous ways. The Indian government, for its part, continues to stress that the matter is a priority for bilateral discussions with Russia and remains committed to protecting its nationals in conflict zones.

The government’s public description of the situation reflects the broader, ongoing challenge many states face in reconciling diplomatic engagement with the personal risks faced by citizens who travel abroad for work or combat-related roles. Officials have stressed that information gathering and consular coordination are ongoing, and that the government will pursue every available avenue to secure early discharge, safe return, or other appropriate outcomes for Indian nationals who joined foreign military forces. Analysts note that such cases, while relatively rare, highlight the unpredictable nature of modern geopolitics and the rapid ways in which private individuals can become entangled in interstate conflicts. The government has indicated that it will continue to monitor developments closely and provide updates as the situation evolves.