India repatriated 119 citizens recruited into the Russian army
The Indian government managed to repatriate 119 of its citizens who had previously been recruited to participate in the Russian armed forces. However, 50 individuals continue to fight on the side of Russia.
According to a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, since the beginning of 2022, Russia recruited 202 Indian citizens for the military conflict against Ukraine. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the government, 119 individuals were returned, achieving their early release from the Russian army.
At the same time, it is reported that 26 Indians have died, and seven are considered missing. The government’s active efforts are focused on the early release and return home of 50 other citizens. It was also possible to return the bodies of 10 deceased Indians involved in the war in Ukraine, with two bodies being cremated.
The Indian authorities have handed over DNA samples of the relatives of 18 Indian citizens listed as deceased or missing to Russia for the purpose of identifying their remains. The Ministry of External Affairs of India noted that it is maintaining contact with the Russian side to ensure the safety of its citizens and assist in their removal from the occupying army.
Recent statements from other countries highlight the scale of foreign citizen involvement in the conflict. In November, Kenya announced more than 200 of its citizens fighting on Russia’s side. In December, Botswana made a similar statement regarding the recruitment of its citizens into the Russian Armed Forces. Earlier in Ukraine, two Colombian citizens were captured, claiming they were deceived with promises of high wages.
According to the “I Want to Live” project, 314 Belarusians and 270 Kazakhs who fought on the side of Russia died in Ukraine.
| Country | Number Recruited |
|---|---|
| India | 202 |
| Kenya | 200+ |
| Botswana | N/A |
| Belarus | 314 (deceased) |
| Kazakhstan | 270 (deceased) |
