The situation surrounding Indian nationals in Russia has taken a grim turn as the Union government revealed that ten out of 26 Indians, whose families sought intervention from the Supreme Court for their safe return, have lost their lives while fighting in Ukraine. The information was disclosed in court on Friday, with the government asserting that most of these individuals had voluntarily enlisted in the Russian military.

In a previous update to Parliament, the Union government estimated that 26 Indians were among the 206 believed to have been recruited by the Russian military, with reports confirming that these individuals had been killed. Additionally, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh indicated that seven Indians remain unaccounted for, raising concerns over their safety and well-being.

As the conflict in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, continues to escalate, the Ministry of External Affairs has issued multiple advisories cautioning Indian citizens against joining the Russian military. The government maintains that many of these individuals have been misled by unscrupulous agents, who lure them with promises of jobs, only for them to find themselves in precarious conditions as support staff, such as cooks or helpers, amidst the ongoing war.

On Friday, a bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, was hearing petitions from families of the affected Indians. These families assert that their loved ones had traveled to Russia in search of employment opportunities, not anticipating the turmoil that awaited them. During the proceedings, they voiced their frustration, claiming that the Ministry of External Affairs had failed to reach out or provide assistance to the families in distress.

This revelation adds to the growing concern regarding the safety of Indian nationals abroad, especially in conflict zones. The ongoing war in Ukraine has already claimed numerous lives and transformed the region into a hotspot of geopolitical tension. As the situation continues to unfold, the families of the deceased and missing Indians are left grappling with uncertainty and fear for their loved ones.