RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-399
ANSWERED ON- 06/02/2025
INDIAN CITIZENS FIGHTING IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR
#399. SHRI RAMJI LAL SUMAN
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the number of Indian citizens fighting along with the Russian army in the Russia-Ukraine war;
(b) the steps taken by the Central Government to bring them back home during the last two years;
(c) the details of Indian civilians killed in the Russia-Ukraine war so far; and
(d) the number of Indians who were successfully brought back to the country by Government since the outbreak of the war?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a & b) As per available information, 127 Indian nationals were in the Russian armed forces. The Government of India has engaged with the relevant Russian authorities at various levels including at the level of the President of the Russian Federation, to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of all such individuals, and their return to India. The Indian Mission/Posts in Russia assisted the Indian nationals in their return to India following the discontinuation of their service in the Russian armed forces, including through the facilitation of travel documents and providing air tickets wherever required.
(c) Twelve Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces are reported to have lost their lives during the ongoing conflict. An Indian student in Ukraine also lost his life during the conflict in March 2022.
(d) As a result of the concerted efforts by the Government of India, the services of 97 Indian nationals in Russian armed forces have been discontinued.