139 Indian nationals freed from Russian Army, 24 more still held: MEA
Synopsis
India has secured the release of 139 of its nationals from the Russian Army, but around two dozen remain — some reportedly missing, over two dozen already dead. The MEA's confirmation lays bare the scale of a recruitment scandal where Indian workers were allegedly lured to Russia under false job pretexts and pushed into frontline combat in the Ukraine war.
Key Takeaways
The MEA confirmed 139 Indian nationals have been released from the Russian Army as of 31 July .
Approximately two dozen Indians remain in Russian forces; diplomatic efforts for their release are ongoing.
As many as 202 Indian nationals were believed recruited into Russian armed forces, according to the MEA's December assessment.
Over two dozen Indians reportedly lost their lives; some remain missing.
Indians were allegedly lured via false construction job offers and deployed to frontline combat roles in the Ukraine war .
The MEA has renewed its advisory warning citizens against high-risk overseas job offers from unverified agents.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed on 31 July that 139 Indian nationals have been released from the Russian Army to date, while efforts are actively underway to secure the discharge of the remaining approximately two dozen Indians still believed to be serving in Russian forces. The update came during a bi-weekly press briefing in New Delhi.
What the MEA Said
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters: 'We have been following up with the Russian side for the release of the remaining Indian nationals in the Russian army. So far, our efforts have led to the release of 139 Indian nationals; we continue to pursue the release of the remaining two dozen Indian nationals who are reportedly in the Russian army.'
Jaiswal also renewed a warning to Indian citizens: 'Once again, we would like to caution our people against job offers that are fraught with risk and made by unscrupulous individuals and agencies.'
Scale of the Problem
The MEA had stated in December that as many as 202 Indian nationals were believed to have been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of those, over two dozen had reportedly lost their lives, and some were reported missing by the Russian side. The 139 released so far represent the cumulative result of sustained diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Moscow.
How Indians Were Recruited
In September 2025, the MEA had issued a formal advisory cautioning Indian nationals against joining the Russian Army, following reports that Indians travelling to Moscow were being pushed into combat roles in the Ukraine war. The advisory was prompted in part by a report in a leading newspaper, which documented the accounts of two Indian men speaking from Selydove — a town in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine captured by Russia in November 2024.
The two men alleged they had been lured to Russia under the pretext of construction jobs, only to be deployed directly on the frontline. They claimed to have travelled on student or visitor visas and said an agent had misled them into battlefield deployment. They also alleged that at least 13 more Indians were trapped in similar conditions at the time.
What Happens Next
Diplomatic efforts between India and Russia are ongoing, with the MEA indicating it will continue pressing for the release of all remaining nationals. The government has not specified a timeline but has signalled that the matter remains a priority. Citizens are being urged to verify any overseas employment offer through official channels before travelling, particularly to conflict-adjacent regions.
Point of View
But the fact that two dozen remain — and that over two dozen have already died — exposes a systemic failure in how Indian migrant workers are protected from predatory recruitment networks. The MEA's repeated advisories have not stopped the pipeline; they have only documented it after the damage is done. The deeper question is whether India has a credible mechanism to intercept fraudulent overseas job offers before workers board flights, not after they are already on a battlefield in Donetsk.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Indian nationals have been released from the Russian Army?
As of 31 July , the MEA has confirmed the release of 139 Indian nationals from the Russian Army. Around two dozen remain, and diplomatic efforts for their discharge are continuing.
How did Indian nationals end up in the Russian Army?
According to reports and MEA advisories, many Indians were allegedly misled by agents who promised construction or other civilian jobs in Russia. They travelled on student or visitor visas and were subsequently deployed to combat roles in the Ukraine war , particularly in the Donetsk region .
How many Indians were originally believed to be in the Russian Army?
The MEA stated in December that approximately 202 Indian nationals were believed to have been recruited into Russian armed forces. Of these, over two dozen have reportedly died and some remain missing.
What is the Indian government doing to secure the release of remaining nationals?
The MEA says it is in active diplomatic contact with the Russian side and is pressing for the discharge of all remaining Indian nationals. No specific timeline has been given, but the matter has been described as a continuing priority.
What precautions has the MEA advised for Indian citizens?
The MEA has issued formal advisories — including one in September 2025 — urging Indian nationals not to accept overseas job offers from unverified agents, particularly those involving travel to conflict zones. Citizens are advised to verify employment offers through official channels before travelling abroad.
