NEW DELHI, Jul 31: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said the government is continuing diplomatic efforts to bring home the remaining Indian nationals still serving with the Russian military, with around two dozen individuals yet to be released.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently engaged with Russian authorities on the issue and has already facilitated the return of 139 citizens who had joined Russian military units in support roles.
Jaiswal reiterated that the government remains in regular contact with Moscow to ensure the safe return of those who continue to serve in the Russian forces. He added that sustained diplomatic engagement has yielded positive results, though a small number of individuals are still awaiting repatriation.
The spokesperson also issued a fresh advisory urging Indian citizens to exercise extreme caution while accepting overseas employment offers. He warned that fraudulent recruiters and agencies continue to lure people with promises of lucrative jobs, exposing them to dangerous situations in conflict zones.
The advisory comes amid growing concern over reports that several Indians were allegedly misled into taking up non-combat roles before finding themselves associated with military operations linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
According to official estimates, more than 30 Indian citizens have lost their lives while serving alongside Russian forces during the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscoring the risks faced by those who entered the conflict under questionable circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court took note of the plight of affected families and directed the Union government to designate a nodal officer in the Ministry of External Affairs. The officer will coordinate with relatives of individuals who have died, gone missing, or sustained injuries during the conflict.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued the direction while hearing a petition related to Indian citizens who were allegedly deceived by travel agents into joining the Russian military.
The petition seeks the return of mortal remains of deceased individuals, financial compensation for affected families, and the creation of a structured mechanism to provide assistance and information to those impacted by the conflict.
The Centre has maintained that it remains committed to securing the safe return of every affected citizen while continuing to engage with Russian authorities through diplomatic channels. Officials have also stressed the importance of verifying overseas employment opportunities through authorised sources to prevent exploitation by illegal recruitment networks.
