Around 267 Indian nationals have joined the Russian armed forces, of whom 51 have reportedly died and 139 have been discharged, according to the latest status report submitted by the Ministry of External
Affairs (MEA). The government has also flagged instances of Indians willingly seeking military recruitment for monetary benefits, with some believing they could later secure their release through Indian diplomatic intervention.
The MEA’s status report, filed on October 12, stated that the Indian government and the Indian Ambassador in Moscow were following up with Russian authorities to establish the whereabouts of 77 Indian nationals. Of these, seven have been confirmed missing by Russian authorities, Live Law reported.
The disclosure comes amid continued government warnings against joining the Russian military, particularly through unverified overseas employment offers.
The MEA has cautioned that individuals who enlist in the Russian armed forces in the expectation of receiving financial benefits and subsequently returning home through government intervention are exposing themselves to potentially fatal risks.
Govt Flags Indians Willingly Seeking Russian Military Recruitment
In an advisory issued on September 30, the MEA said it had encountered several instances of Indian nationals willingly seeking offers to join the Russian armed forces, expecting to receive monetary benefits and later secure their release with the help of the Indian government.
The ministry said the government had repeatedly highlighted the risks associated with such recruitment over the preceding two years and advised Indian citizens against accepting employment offers from unverified individuals.
“We have also come across numerous instances wherein individuals are willingly seeking out offers to join the Russian armed forces with an understanding that they would be able to avail concomitant monetary benefits, and later secure release by approaching the Indian government,” the MEA said in its advisory.
“It is reiterated that this is a dangerous path and is strongly discouraged by the government,” it added.
The advisory also highlighted cases in which Indian nationals had approached authorities seeking to give up their Indian citizenship and obtain Russian passports before joining the Russian armed forces.
According to the ministry, some individuals had already taken these steps without consulting Indian authorities, attracted by temporary financial incentives.
The government urged Indians to consider the consequences of such decisions and refrain from pursuing this course of action.
Unregistered Agents, Voluntary Groups Under Scrutiny
The MEA’s September 30 advisory also raised concerns about recruitment through non-public entities, including voluntary groups.
“It has also come to our notice that foreign nationals are being recruited to serve in the Russian armed forces by non-public entities including voluntary groups,” the ministry said.
The government advised Indian nationals to exercise due diligence before accepting overseas job offers from agents who are not registered with the MEA.
The government has maintained that joining a foreign military under these circumstances is dangerous and has urged job seekers to verify employment offers rather than rely on unverified individuals or recruitment channels.
Some Indians Reportedly Rejoined Russian Forces After Discharge
The latest MEA status report also flagged cases in which Indian nationals had reportedly returned to Russia and rejoined the armed forces after being repatriated.
This has added to the challenges faced by Indian authorities in tracking nationals serving with the Russian military and securing their release.
The report stated that the Indian government and its embassy in Moscow were continuing to engage with Russian authorities to establish the whereabouts of the 77 Indian nationals whose status remained under follow-up.
The MEA’s September 30 advisory reiterated that the government remained engaged with Russia to ensure the safety, well-being and early discharge of Indians serving in its armed forces.
The government also urged Indians seeking employment abroad to verify recruitment agencies and avoid offers from unregistered agents, stressing that the prospect of short-term financial gains should not outweigh the serious risks associated with joining a foreign military.
