The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced late Tuesday evening that two Indian nationals recruited by the Russian Army have been killed in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Details regarding their origins remain unclear.
The MEA has addressed the matter with the Russian Ambassador in New Delhi, and the Indian Embassy in Moscow has contacted Russian authorities to expedite the release and return of all Indian nationals enlisted in the Russian Army.
“We regret to state that two Indian nationals who had been recruited by the Russian Army have recently been killed in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” the MEA statement read. “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. Our Embassy in Moscow has pressed the Russian authorities, including the Ministry of Defence, for early repatriation of the mortal remains,” it added.
India has also demanded a verified halt to the recruitment of its nationals by the Russian Army, stating that such actions are not in line with the bilateral partnership. The MEA urged Indian nationals to exercise caution when seeking employment opportunities in Russia.
In March, two other Indian citizens, Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya (23) from Surat, Gujarat, and Mohammad Asfan (31) from Hyderabad, were killed while fighting alongside the Russian Army. They had been hired as helpers but were forced into combat, according to their families. Their bodies were repatriated to India on March 16.
At the time, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that around 20 individuals had sought assistance to return. “We are pressing very hard with the Russian authorities for the early discharge of our people who are stuck there,” he said, adding that government intervention had resulted in the release of several Indians from the Russian Army.
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