12 Indians working with Russian military killed, 16 missing: MEA

“Eighteen Indian nationals in the Russian Army remain and out of them, the whereabouts of 16 individuals are not known,” he said, adding, “The Russian side has categorised them as missing… We are seeking an early release and repatriation of those who remain.”

This comes days after the government said it is working with Moscow for the swift return of the body of a citizen who was killed fighting for Russia in the Ukraine war as well as the early repatriation of another who suffered injuries.

The government said it has sought the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals serving in the Russian Army, an issue it has raised earlier as well.

The Indian Express had reported Monday that a 32-year-old man Binil T B, a resident of Wadakkanchery in Kerala’s Thrissur district, was killed on the frontlines while his relative Jain T K, 27, who hails from the same region, sustained serious injuries. A few days ago, Binil’s family had received a message that the two were injured in a drone attack, but could not establish contact.

On Tuesday, Jaiswal had said: “We have learnt of the unfortunate death of an Indian national from Kerala who had apparently been recruited to serve in the Russian Army. Another Indian national from Kerala, who was similarly recruited, has been injured and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Moscow.”

He said: “We offer our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Embassy in Moscow is in touch with the families, and all possible assistance is being rendered. 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 said the matter has been “strongly taken up” with authorities in Moscow as well as the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. “We have also reiterated our demand for the early discharge of the remaining Indian nationals,” he said.

PM Narendra Modi had raised the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin in October last year, when they met in Kazan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit.