The MEA said 139 Indian nationals have been released from the Russian Army and efforts continue to bring back around two dozen more. The case has renewed India’s warning against fraudulent overseas job offers that can lead to forced military service.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday renewed its warning against fraudulent overseas recruitment offers, urging Indian citizens to exercise caution while accepting foreign jobs, as it said diplomatic efforts have secured the release of 139 Indian nationals from the Russian Army and continue to pursue the return of around two dozen more reportedly serving in the Russian military.
Addressing the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has been consistently engaging with the Russian authorities on the issue.
“We have been following up with the Russian side for the release of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. So far, our efforts have led to the release of 139 Indian nationals. We continue to pursue the release of the remaining two dozen Indian nationals who are reportedly in the Russian army,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA also cautioned Indians against falling prey to fraudulent overseas recruitment agents who lure job seekers with false promises.
“We would also once again we would like to caution our people against job offers that are fraught with risk and made by unscrupulous individuals and agencies,” Jaiswal said.
The issue came to light after several Indian nationals were allegedly recruited by agents with promises of civilian jobs in Russia but were later made to join the Russian military and deployed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The MEA’s update came on the same day the Supreme Court issued a series of binding directions to streamline relief for families of Indian nationals affected by the conflict.
Hearing petitions filed by relatives of Indian citizens allegedly lured into the Russia-Ukraine war, a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant directed the MEA to appoint a dedicated nodal officer whose contact details will be shared directly with the affected families.
The court also directed the Centre to facilitate DNA identification of mortal remains, provide free legal aid and translate documents relating to compensation claims and repatriation.
In addition, the Supreme Court asked the MEA to prepare a consolidated docket, translated into vernacular languages, explaining the procedure for affected families to file compensation claims before the Russian authorities. It clarified that compensation claims would be routed through the MEA, but their pendency should not delay the return of mortal remains or the performance of last rites.
The court further directed the Member Secretaries of the State Legal Services Authorities to provide free legal aid to affected families for filing compensation claims and facilitating DNA testing. It also asked the MEA to provide translated versions of documents received from the Russian authorities relating to repatriation of mortal remains and compensation claims.
In its order, the Supreme Court noted that in 2024 and 2025, several Indian youths travelled to Russia on different visas after being promised employment in the construction, hospitality and service sectors. However, after reaching Russia, authorities allegedly confiscated their passports and identity documents, enroled them in the Russian armed forces and deployed them to the frontlines of the conflict.
Observing that many young Indians had lost their lives and that their mortal remains had not been repatriated in several cases despite verification, the court issued directions to streamline the process for their families.
The petitions were filed by families of 26 Indian nationals who alleged that their relatives were lured to Russia on the false promise of jobs or educational opportunities but were instead coerced into joining the Russian military after their passports were confiscated. The families sought urgent diplomatic and consular intervention to ascertain the whereabouts of the affected persons, secure the return of those still stranded, repatriate the mortal remains of those killed and facilitate compensation.
During an earlier hearing in April, the Centre informed the Supreme Court that 10 of the 26 Indian nationals had died in the conflict, one person was facing criminal proceedings in Russia, and another had voluntarily chosen to continue under a military contract.
