Eight Indian citizens were killed while serving in the Russian army. 63 are trying to get out of the army early, where they were fraudulently recruited. This was announced on Thursday by Indian Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, UNN reports with reference to Hindustan Times.
Eight deaths were reported where the deceased's nationality was confirmed as Indian
He pointed out that the exact number of Indian citizens drafted into the Russian armed forces is unknown, although 63 Indians have requested early release.
"According to the available information, 12 Indian citizens have already left the Russian armed forces, and another 63 people want to be released early," Singh said.
In addition, the Russian government has informed the Indian side that the families of the dead Indians will be compensated "in accordance with the contracts they signed," Singh said.
Prior to this, the Ministry of External Affairs had recognized the deaths of only four Indian citizens who served in Russian troops in the war in Ukraine. Most of the Indians were recruited as support staff, such as cooks and assistants, and accompanied their units to the front.
According to the Hindustan Times, the recruitment of Indians into the Russian armed forces has become a hot topic after the deaths of several citizens earlier this year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month. The Indian side has reportedly secured a promise that all Indians will be sent back quickly.
Singh said that Modi, during his recent visit to Russia, "strongly reiterated the urgent need for the early release of all Indian citizens" from the Russian armed forces. the Ministry of External Affairs urged all Indians to "exercise due caution when seeking employment in Russia" and "stay away from this conflict.