India confirmed on Friday that 12 Indian nationals have been killed while serving with the Russian military, and another 16 are currently listed as missing by Russian authorities.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 126 Indians had served with the Russian military, with 96 already discharged. “Twelve Indian nationals have died in the (Russia-Ukraine) conflict, who were serving in the Russian Army,” Jaiswal said during a weekly media briefing.
“Out of the 126 known cases of Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces, 96 individuals have already returned. They have been discharged from the Russian armed forces,” he added.
Of the remaining 18, the whereabouts of 16 are unknown, with Russia categorising them as missing, Jaiswal said.
The MEA is in contact with the families of the missing individuals and is working with Russian authorities to “ascertain the whereabouts of the missing Indian nationals and for an early release and repatriation of those who remain,” Jaiswal said.
This week, the MEA also confirmed the death of an Indian national from Kerala. Binil TB, from Thrissur, was reported dead after his family publicly shared the news on Monday. “The death of Binil TB is unfortunate,” Jaiswal said.
The Indian embassy in Moscow is coordinating with Russian authorities for the repatriation of his body, while another Kerala resident who was injured in the conflict is receiving treatment in a Moscow hospital. “The embassy is in touch with him and Russian authorities for his well-being, and we are hopeful that he will return after his treatment,” Jaiswal said.
Prior to Binil’s death, nine other Indians were confirmed dead in the conflict, making him the 10th casualty. India has pressed Russia to release all Indians recruited by its military.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised concerns about the discharge of Indian nationals serving in the Russian military during talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July. By October, Indian officials confirmed that 85 Indian nationals had been discharged, with efforts underway to secure the release of 20 more.
The Russian embassy said in August that Moscow and New Delhi are working closely to expedite the “identification and discharge” of Indian nationals who voluntarily joined the Russian military but now wish to return home.
Since April, Russia’s Ministry of Defence has stopped recruiting citizens from several foreign countries, including India, into its military.