Government says some nationals seek military contracts for financial benefits, while families of Indians killed or missing in the Russia-Ukraine war await assistance
The Indian government has told the Supreme Court that several Indian nationals have willingly sought to join the Russian armed forces for financial benefits, with some reportedly returning to military service after being discharged and subsequently becoming untraceable.
The Centre’s submission was made through a status report from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), presented by Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi.
According to the government, some Indians who had been released from Russian military service following sustained diplomatic efforts and repatriated to India later rejoined the Russian forces. Authorities said such cases had complicated efforts to establish the whereabouts of Indian nationals involved in the conflict.
The MEA also informed the court that some Indians travelling to Russia on tourist, student or work visas had expressed an interest in joining the military in the expectation of receiving monetary benefits. In certain cases, individuals had approached the Indian embassy seeking to surrender their Indian citizenship and obtain Russian passports before joining the armed forces.
The disclosure comes amid continuing concerns over Indians recruited into the Russian military during the war against Ukraine. While some reportedly signed military contracts voluntarily, other Indians and their families have alleged that they were misled by agents who promised civilian employment or support roles.
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In a related development, the Supreme Court has sought greater assistance for families affected by the conflict
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The government has reported that 51 Indian nationals have died and 77 remain missing, according to figures reported on October 15
The court has directed the MEA to issue a public notice encouraging the families of deceased Indians to come forward for assistance and compensation.
India has repeatedly engaged with Russian authorities to secure the release and return of its nationals. The government has also warned citizens against accepting unverified overseas job offers that could expose them to military recruitment and life-threatening risks.
The latest submission highlights the challenges facing Indian authorities as they seek to locate missing nationals, assist affected families and prevent further recruitment into the conflict.
