SRINAGAR: As of February 2025, the Government of India has confirmed that 12 Indian nationals have lost their lives while serving in the Russian armed forces during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, 18 Indian nationals are still reported to be serving in the Russian army, with 16 of them listed as missing by Russian authorities. Among the deceased, one was an Indian student from Ukraine who died in March 2022. The situation remains concerning as the Government of India continues to make efforts for the safety and repatriation of those stranded.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it has been in constant contact with Russian authorities at various levels to ensure the safety, well-being, and early discharge of the Indian nationals serving in the Russian armed forces. The Indian Embassy in Moscow has been instrumental in facilitating the return of those whose services with the Russian army were discontinued, providing necessary support such as travel documents and air tickets. So far, 97 Indian nationals have been successfully repatriated from Russia, including two from Jammu and Kashmir. The repatriated nationals hail from states including Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Maharashtra, among others.
The Government of India remains committed to bringing back all its citizens stranded in Russia and is working closely with the Russian authorities to address the situation, with a special focus on the safety of those still unaccounted for. While some of the youth have been safely repatriated, efforts are ongoing to ensure the safe return of the remaining individuals, including those from Jammu and Kashmir.
State-wise distribution of the repatriated nationals: Bihar – 1, Chhattisgarh – 1, Chandigarh – 1, Delhi – 6, Gujarat – 1, Haryana – 14, Jammu and Kashmir – 2, Jharkhand – 1, Karnataka – 4, Kerala – 10, Maharashtra – 2, Punjab – 27, Rajasthan – 9, Telangana – 2, Tamil Nadu – 3, Uttarakhand – 2, Uttar Pradesh – 6, West Bengal – 5.
