A total of 227 Indian nationals joined the Russian military during the war against Ukraine. Of them, 51 have been killed, 139 have returned home, and 37 remain with Russian forces.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri disclosed the figures late Monday night, following a meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Kyrgyzstan.
The recruitment of Indians into the Russian military has been a subject of discussion for two years. Indians were allegedly lured to Russia under various pretenses and enlisted into the country’s armed forces.
The matter even reached India’s Supreme Court, though little clear information had been made public until now.
Misri addressed the issue at a news conference Monday following the Putin-Modi meeting, in response to a reporter’s question.
Misri said discussions on the matter are ongoing at various levels between the two countries, and that talks with Russian officials continue on bringing home the Indians still serving in Russia’s military.
“We are continuing sustained discussions with Russian authorities on this issue. The Indian embassy in Moscow is closely monitoring the matter at all times,” Misri said in response to a reporter’s question.
Allegations emerged that Indians were being lured to Russia with promises of hefty salaries, then enlisted into the Russian military and forced into combat against Ukraine.
As the allegations caused an uproar, the Indian government moved to act, and a case was filed in the Supreme Court seeking directives to bring back the Indians serving with Russian forces.
During the hearing, India’s Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench headed by Chief Justice Suryakant that 44 Indian deaths had been reported at the time, and that the government was making every effort to bring back the Indians still alive in Russian service.
During the hearing, the central government also explained why so many Indians were joining Russia’s military: recruiters dangled attractive pay packages, social security, generous compensation and the promise of citizenship. Many could not resist the offers and signed contracts to join the Russian forces.
Modi raised the issue in Monday’s meeting with Putin, after which India’s foreign secretary disclosed the details at the news conference.
According to government sources, many of the Indians in Russian service are working in cooking roles, while others serve in support positions.