Nagaur MP demands safe return of 61 Indians trapped in Russia-Ukraine war ahead of Putin’s visit

Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to India, Lok Sabha member Hanuman Beniwal on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) raised the issue of safe return of 61 Indians who were allegedly enlisted in the Russian Army to participate in the ongoing war against Ukraine. The men had travelled to Russia on student and work visas and joined the Russian Army despite several warnings and advisories by the government. Mr. Beniwal raised the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha.

“It is necessary to ensure the safety of these Indians and to engage in immediate talks with the Russian government to safely bring them out of the war zone and initiate strong efforts for their return to the homeland,” Mr. Beniwal from the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP), who represents Nagaur, Rajasthan, in Lok Sabha, said.

According to details received from the affected families, 61 men have been forcibly engaged in military activities in the Russia-Ukraine war for several months, and the families have had no contact with them for the past three to four months, he said.

“Many families are suffering from mental harassment and living in fear. The families protested at Jantar Mantar twice and conveyed their concerns to the government. The issue should be raised at the highest political level,” the MP said, adding that several men from Rajasthan were also among those missing.

The Hindu reported on September 10 that at least 15 Indians are caught in the battlefield in Ukraine. On September 11, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that it has taken up the matter with Russian authorities, both in Delhi and Moscow, asking that “this practice be ended and that our nationals be released.”

In 2024, after India strongly raised the issue, the Russian Embassy said in a statement on August 10, 2024 that it no longer admits Indians into its Army, adding it was working in “close coordination” with Indian authorities to help discharge Indian nationals recruited for the war in Ukraine. Russia and Ukraine have been at war since February 24, 2022.

The assurance came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised the issue “personally” with President Vladimir Putin during his visit to Moscow in July the same year.

The MEA informed the Rajya Sabha on July 24 that year that there were 127 Indian nationals in the Russian armed forces, out of which the services of 98 individuals were discontinued as a result of sustained engagement between the Indian and Russian government at the highest levels. 13 Indian nationals remained in the Russian armed forces, out of which 12 individuals had been reported missing by the Russian side, the MEA said.

On November 8, the MEA spokesperson said that there are 44 Indian nationals presently serving in the Russian Army.