Ministry of Exterior Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. Picture:
India on Friday (November 7, 2025) mentioned that the variety of Indian nationals serving within the Russian Military has elevated to 44 in view of recruitment in current months.
The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) mentioned it has taken up the matter with Moscow and urged them to cease recruiting Indians into the Russian navy.
“In the previous couple of months, we now have been knowledgeable of a number of Indian nationals who’ve been recruited within the Russian military,” Exterior Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned.
“As per our understanding, there are 44 Indian nationals at the moment serving within the Russian Military,” he mentioned at his weekly media briefing.
Indian officers in September had mentioned there have been 27 Indians serving within the Russian Military.
Mr. Jaiswal mentioned India has taken up the matter with Russian authorities and urged them to launch the Indians on the “earliest and in addition to place an finish to this apply”.
“We’re in contact with the Russian aspect. We’re additionally in contact with the households of those folks and giving them an replace on the matter,” he mentioned.
There have been stories that some Indians on scholar and enterprise visas had been pressured into becoming a member of Russian navy models deployed on the frontlines of the battle in Ukraine.
India has been repeatedly asking Russia to launch all Indians serving as assist workers, corresponding to cooks and helpers, with Russian navy models.
The difficulty was raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi throughout his go to to Russia final yr as effectively.
Mr. Jaiswal known as upon Indians to steer clear of affords being made to serve within the Russian Military as they’re “fraught with hazard to life”.
“We’ve got mentioned this so many instances. Despite our repeated reminders, folks proceed to enlist. If any person desires to do it, we can’t cease him however we proceed to press that you need to pay attention to the hazards which are there when you join these jobs,” Mr. Jaiswal mentioned.
In keeping with official knowledge, the variety of Indians recruited by the Russian navy is now near 170. Whereas 96 had been discharged by Russian authorities, one other 16 have been listed as lacking.
Not less than 12 Indians had been killed whereas combating on the frontlines of the battle in Ukraine.
Printed – November 08, 2025 02:16 am IST