Release all Indians serving in Russian military, says India after one more death

Randhir Jaiswal said the matter was “strongly taken up” with Russian authorities in Moscow and with the Russian embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday

Updated on: Jan 14, 2025, 21:11:19 IST

By Rezaul H Laskar

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NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday demanded that Russia release all Indian nationals serving in its military following the death of another citizen on the frontlines of the conflict in Ukraine, taking the number of deaths so far to 10.

Members of the artillery unit of the special rifle battalion of Zaporizhzhia region police fire a small multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) towards Russian troops in a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine on December 25. (REUTERS FILE PHOTO)

The external affairs ministry said an Indian national from Kerala was killed and another from the same state was injured. It didn’t provide details regarding the circumstances of the death, though reports said Binil Babu (31), a native of Kuttanellur in Thrissur district, was killed in the fighting with Ukraine.

The Indian side has repeatedly called for the release of all Indians serving as support staff, such as cooks and helpers, with Russian military units. This became a key issue for New Delhi following the death of at least nine Indians during Russia’s war with Ukraine. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too raised the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin at two meetings last year.

“We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

“Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow,” he said.

Jaiswal said the matter was “strongly taken up” with Russian authorities in Moscow and with the Russian embassy in New Delhi on Tuesday. “We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals,” he said without giving details of how many Indians are currently serving with the Russian military.

“We are working with the Russian authorities for early transportation of the mortal remains to India. We have also sought the early discharge and repatriation to India of the injured person,” Jaiswal added.

The external affairs ministry offered its condolences to the family of the dead man and said the Indian embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families of the citizens serving with the Russian Army and providing “all possible assistance”.

Indian officials said last October that a total of 85 Indian nationals recruited by the Russian military had been discharged, and that authorities were working for the release of another 20 citizens.

The release of some Indians serving in the Russian Army had been held up as Russia’s defence ministry had not annulled their contracts for military service. The Russian embassy in New Delhi said last year the recruitment of Indians into Russia’s armed forces was stopped in April 2024, and authorities were ensuring the early discharge of those who “voluntarily contracted for military service”.

The Indian side has contended that many Indians recruited into the Russian military were “misled” or duped by unscrupulous recruitment agents. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a criminal case against 19 individuals and entities last year for their alleged role in recruiting Indians and made several arrests.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rezaul H Laskar
Rezaul Hasan Laskar is Foreign Editor with the Hindustan Times, which he joined in 2015. He began as a journalist in his hometown of Shillong in northeast India and has worked in newspapers and wire services over the years. He moved to New Delhi in 1997 and initially focused on defence, national security, Jammu and Kashmir and the northeast, while also working of foreign policy and international relations. He has been part of the media delegation accompanying PMs on foreign visits and has reported from destinations ranging from Tibet to Ukraine. Between 2007 and 2013, he was the Press Trust of India correspondent in Pakistan, one of only two Indian journalists allowed to report from the country. He extensively covered Pakistan’s domestic politics and the life of the common people, as well as the fallout of the 2008 Mumbai attacks on India-Pakistan relations and the subsequent trial in Pakistan of the suspects involved in the attack. As part of his reportage in Pakistan, he travelled the breadth of the country, from the Swat Valley to Balochistan. Reza’s first gig in journalism was writing a weekly music column, and music – especially classic rock – remains a keen interest. He is also a movie buff and a keen photographer.Read More

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