India secures release of 85 citizens from Russian Army, 20 still await discharge
India announced the release of its nationals allegedly deceptively recruited into Russia's army, with ongoing efforts for the discharge of 20 more.
India has secured the release of 85 citizens who were deceptively recruited into the Russian Army, while diplomatic efforts continue for the remaining 20, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced on 21 October, as per India TV News.
During a press briefing in New Delhi, Misri detailed the government’s ongoing efforts to secure the release of all Indian nationals from Russian military service.
“Our embassy officials have been in close touch with the interlocutors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense of Russia on the issue of Indians who were illegally or otherwise contracted into fighting in the Russian army,” Misri said.
The Indian Foreign Secretary confirmed that the matter had received attention at the highest diplomatic levels.
“The matter was taken at the highest level including by PM Modi with President Putin,” he stated, adding that “Around 85 people have returned from Russia and unfortunately, we have returned the mortal remains of people who lost their lives during the conflict.”
The issue first emerged in January 2024 when media reports revealed that Indian youths had been tricked into joining the Russian Army. Following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Moscow in July, where he raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Russian government agreed to release all Indian nationals from their military service.
In mid-September, India’s Foreign Ministry reported that it had successfully secured the discharge of 45 citizens from the Russian army and continued efforts to rescue 50 more who are fighting against Ukraine.
Related:
- India sharply reduced purchases of Russian coal
- Reuters: India faces Russian pressure over shells used in Ukraine
- India rescues 45 citizens lured into Russian army, 50 more await discharge
- ISW: Russia relies on India, Serbia, China to evade sanctions
- India’s tightrope walk: What Modi really did in Kyiv
- Modi’s Kyiv trip: Desperate attempt to salvage India’s reputation
- Eight Indians killed while fighting against Ukraine in Russian army
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support.
