Eight Indian nationals recruited by the Russian armed forces have died, according to the government’s statement in the Upper House Rajya Sabha in Parliament on Thursday. In response to a question, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the information received so far suggests that 12 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces, while 63 individuals are seeking early discharge.
Singh mentioned, “Eight deaths have been reported where the citizenship of the deceased has been verified as Indian.” The government has received requests for assistance in the early discharge of some Indian nationals purportedly recruited into the Russian armed forces under unclear circumstances. “The exact number of such Indian nationals is not known,” he said.
“Information available currently indicates that 12 Indian nationals have already left the Russian armed forces while another 63 individuals are seeking early discharge,” Singh informed. The MoS said the government has provided financial support for the transportation of the mortal remains of four Indian nationals to India, and it remains available for other cases when required.
“In addition, the government of the Russian Federation has informed that compensation will be provided to the families of deceased individuals in accordance with the contracts signed by them,” he said.
The Minister said the government has strongly taken up the issue of Indian nationals’ early discharge into the Russian armed forces, as well as their safety and well-being, with relevant Russian authorities at various levels.
“During his visit to Russia in July, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly reiterated the urgent need for early release of all Indian nationals from the Russian armed forces,” he said.
In June, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed serious concern about the involvement of Indian nationals serving with the Russian Army and called for immediate action from Moscow. On June 11, India reported that two Indian nationals who the Russian Army had recruited were recently killed in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
In response to the deaths of these two individuals, the MEA demanded an immediate halt to any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army. In a strongly worded statement, India emphasised the need for a verified cessation of any further recruitment of Indian nationals by the Russian Army, stating that such activities would not be consistent with the partnership between the two countries.
Team BharatShakti
