12 Indians serving in Russian Army killed in Ukraine, 16 missing: Centre

At least 12 Indian citizens serving in the Russian Army amid its war on Ukraine have died, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Friday.

Addressing a press briefing, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that 18 Indians were still serving in Russia’s military. The whereabouts of 16 of them are not known.

Jaiswal added that 126 cases of Indian nationals serving in Russia had been reported. Of these, 96 individuals had been discharged from the military and had returned to India.

“We have been in constant touch with Russian authorities for early release and repatriation of Indian nationals who are serving in the Russian Army,” Jaiswal added.

On Tuesday, the Union government reiterated its demand that all Indian nationals serving in the Russian military be immediately released. This came after a citizen from Kerala who was recruited by the Russian Army recently died in Ukraine.

Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, had been injured and was receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow, the foreign ministry had said.

The man was identified in media reports as Binil Babu, 31, from Kuttanellur in Thrissur district.

The deaths have heightened concerns about Indian nationals recruited into the Russian military, often as support staff such as cooks and helpers. New Delhi contends that many were duped by unscrupulous agents.

On Friday,...

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