Archive · 7 Oct 2026
India Says 69 Recruited Nationals Remain With Russian Forces
India says that 259 of its citizens are believed to have joined Russia’s armed forces.
The Indian government says it helped 139 of them leave the military.
It is still asking Russian officials for information about 69 people who remain with the Russian army.
India says reports of more people joining are still appearing.
Officials have repeatedly warned Indians not to accept these offers.
They say military service could be very dangerous, including because people might be sent to fight in the war with Ukraine.
India also said some people gave up Indian passports and obtained Russian ones before joining for money.
India said 259 Indian nationals were believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces.
The government said 139 had been discharged following its intervention.
India is seeking information from Russian authorities about 69 Indians still with the Russian army.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said reports of further recruitment continue despite repeated warnings.
India warned that joining the Russian military could put nationals in grave danger, including deployment on the Ukraine battlefront.
- Who
- 259 Indian nationals were believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces; 139 were reportedly discharged, while 69 remain with the Russian army.
- What
- India reported recruitment figures and said it was seeking information about Indians still serving in Russian forces.
- When
- The announcement was made on Wednesday; the article also refers to government warnings over the past two years and an advisory on September 30.
- Where
- The recruitment was into the Russian armed forces; the announcement was made in New Delhi.
- Why
- The article says some Indians accepted offers for financial incentives, while India is seeking information and warning of the dangers of military service.
Indian Government
Recruitment Offers
Joining Russian forces
Indian Government
India urges its nationals to avoid offers to join the Russian army, warning that service carries grave danger and could involve deployment on the Ukraine battlefront.
Recruitment Offers
The article says offers have been made to Indian nationals and that some joined for financial incentives; it does not provide the recruiters’ position or justification.
- Believed recruited
- 259 Indian nationals
- Discharged
- 139, following government intervention
- Still with Russian army
- 69; India is seeking information from Russian authorities
- Government spokesperson
- Randhir Jaiswal, Ministry of External Affairs
- Warning
- India has issued repeated advisories over the past two years
- Stated risk
- Deployment on the battlefront in the conflict with Ukraine