India has asked Russian authorities for a fresh update on the whereabouts of 69 Indian nationals believed to be serving in the Russian military, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Wednesday.
The request was conveyed during the ministry's regular media briefing in New Delhi, where spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal laid out the latest accounting of Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces.
The numbers so far
According to Jaiswal, a total of 259 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Through the government's sustained engagement with Moscow, 139 of them have secured early discharge and returned home.
Fifty-one Indians have died while serving on the frontlines of the conflict in Ukraine, going by information shared by authorities over the past few months.
"We are following up with the Russian authorities for updates on the whereabouts of 69 Indian nationals who are reportedly with the Russian Army," Jaiswal said.
Fresh warning to job seekers
The spokesperson once again urged Indian nationals to stay away from offers to join the Russian military, warning of the "grave danger" attached to such employment. The advisory follows a pattern of recruitment through agents and non-public entities luring young Indians with promises of money and benefits.
New Delhi has repeatedly flagged the issue with Moscow at various levels. The Indian embassy in Moscow continues to monitor the cases and press for the early discharge and repatriation of those still serving.
Jaiswal also fielded a question on the reported death of a laboratory worker at a plague research institute in Russia's Siberia region, saying India was prepared to deal with any contingency involving Indian nationals in Russia. More than 30,000 Indian students and around 70,000 Indian nationals live in Russia, he noted.
Sources:
New Indian Express: India seeks update from Russia on whereabouts of Indians working with Russian military
The request was conveyed during the ministry's regular media briefing in New Delhi, where spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal laid out the latest accounting of Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces.
The numbers so far
According to Jaiswal, a total of 259 Indian nationals are believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Through the government's sustained engagement with Moscow, 139 of them have secured early discharge and returned home.
Fifty-one Indians have died while serving on the frontlines of the conflict in Ukraine, going by information shared by authorities over the past few months.
"We are following up with the Russian authorities for updates on the whereabouts of 69 Indian nationals who are reportedly with the Russian Army," Jaiswal said.
Fresh warning to job seekers
The spokesperson once again urged Indian nationals to stay away from offers to join the Russian military, warning of the "grave danger" attached to such employment. The advisory follows a pattern of recruitment through agents and non-public entities luring young Indians with promises of money and benefits.
New Delhi has repeatedly flagged the issue with Moscow at various levels. The Indian embassy in Moscow continues to monitor the cases and press for the early discharge and repatriation of those still serving.
Jaiswal also fielded a question on the reported death of a laboratory worker at a plague research institute in Russia's Siberia region, saying India was prepared to deal with any contingency involving Indian nationals in Russia. More than 30,000 Indian students and around 70,000 Indian nationals live in Russia, he noted.
Sources:
New Indian Express: India seeks update from Russia on whereabouts of Indians working with Russian military
