Our Bureau
New Delhi
The Centre has informed the Supreme Court that some Indian nationals who were discharged from the Russian armed forces and repatriated following sustained diplomatic efforts have subsequently rejoined the military and become untraceable, raising fresh concerns over the recruitment of Indians into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Submitting a status report from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that several Indians had voluntarily sought to join Russian forces in anticipation of financial benefits, with some later approaching the Indian government for release.
According to the report, some Indian nationals travelling to Russia on tourist, student or work visas had expressed interest in joining the Russian military for temporary monetary gains. The ministry also flagged instances of individuals seeking to surrender their Indian citizenship, obtain Russian passports and subsequently enlist in the armed forces.
The Centre’s submission highlights the challenges faced by Indian authorities in securing the release and return of citizens who enter military service abroad, even after diplomatic interventions.
The issue comes amid continuing concerns over Indian nationals being recruited into the Russian military during the ongoing war with Ukraine. Earlier, the government informed the Supreme Court that 217 Indians had joined Russian forces, of whom 49 had died and six were reported missing in action, according to a submission made in May 2026.
The government has also warned Indian citizens against accepting suspicious overseas employment offers and joining the Russian armed forces. The MEA has cautioned that such involvement carries serious risks and urged people to exercise due diligence before accepting job offers through recruitment agents.
Indian authorities have continued engaging with Russian officials to facilitate the discharge and return of nationals serving in the military. The latest disclosure, however, underscores the difficulty of ensuring their safety when some individuals reportedly choose to rejoin after returning home.
The development places renewed focus on recruitment practices, the risks associated with overseas job offers and the government’s efforts to protect Indian citizens caught up in the conflict.