Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Centre asks Punjab to aid families of Russia war dead
Some men from India left home looking for jobs.
Travel agents promised them good work, but instead sent them to Russia.
Once there, the men were made to join the Russian army.
During the war between Russia and Ukraine, some of these Indian men died.
Their families were very sad and wanted their bodies sent home.
The Indian government decided to help by asking the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to arrange DNA tests.
DNA is a special code in our bodies that can prove who a person is and match them to their relatives.
The tests will help identify the bodies so they can be returned to India.
Families will also get free legal help to ask Russia for compensation money.
The government has said that about 49 of the roughly 217 Indian men who were made to join the army have died.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) directed Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan to help families of Indian men allegedly lured to Russia and forced into the Russian armed forces.
States must arrange parental DNA tests to identify mortal remains and provide free legal aid through district legal services authorities.
The Centre informed the Supreme Court that 49 of roughly 217 Indians recruited into the Russian military have died.
Bodies of Sahil Sekhri, Gursewak Singh, and Samarjeet Singh have been repatriated, while families of Hira Singh, Harvinder Singh, and the missing Jarnail Singh await news.
A family seeking compensation reports paying Rs 25,000 each for DNA tests and awaits a Rs 1.30 crore claim for Mandeep of Goraya, killed in a March 2024 drone attack.
- Who
- The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, acting for the families of Indian men allegedly trafficked into the Russian armed forces.
- What
- The MEA directed the three states to arrange parental DNA tests, free legal aid, and compensation-claim assistance so mortal remains can be identified and returned.
- When
- The directive was issued on a Monday (exact date not stated); the deaths and repatriations described span 2024-2025, including Hira Singh's death on November 4, 2025.
- Where
- India (Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan), with the conflict zone in Russia and Ukraine.
- Why
- The men were allegedly lured by travel agents with false job offers, forced into the Russian military, and died in the Ukraine conflict; families need DNA matching to identify bodies and claim compensation.
- Indians recruited into Russian armed forces
- Approximately 217
- Indians reported dead
- 49 (as informed to the Supreme Court)
- Punjab men in MEA list
- 6
- States directed to help
- Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
- Bodies repatriated
- 3 - Sahil Sekhri (Amritsar, June 24), Gursewak Singh (May 8), Samarjeet Singh (Ludhiana, March 11)
- Families awaiting bodies or news
- 3 - Hira Singh, Harvinder Singh, and the missing Jarnail Singh
- DNA sampling cost paid by a family
- Rs 25,000 per test
- Compensation claim cited
- Rs 1.30 crore (family of Mandeep, Goraya)